Winter is coming – get your boosters, says Clwyd South MS Ken Skates

Member of the Senedd Ken Skates has urged people in his Clwyd South constituency to take up their offers of COVID-19 booster jabs as soon as possible.

Ahead of the winter months, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is working its way through its list of priority patients – with 34% of people in Mr Skates’ constituency already boosted.

Mr Skates raised the issue in the Senedd yesterday (Wednesday) following concerns locally that some surgeries are behind others in offering boosters, particularly for children.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan told MSs: “As of October 11, a total of 363,000 COVID-19 vaccination boosters have been administered in Wales. The programme is on track for all eligible people to receive an invitation for their booster by November 30, in line with the commitment given in our winter respiratory vaccination strategy which was published on July 15.”

Mr Skates said: “Thank you, Minister. That’s excellent news. The vaccine, of course, is the most effective way to defend ourselves against COVID. In order to live with the virus, it’s incumbent on us all to accept the jab when it’s available to us. It’s also vital that the roll-out of the programme continues in the most efficient and equitable way.

“Are you confident that people are able to have the vaccine in a consistent time frame across all communities and for each age group in Wales?”

The Health Minister responded: “Well, we are talking about trying to get this booster to 1.6 million eligible people in Wales. That’s being delivered through 400 vaccination sites, so I think that does give you the coverage that should allow people to take up that opportunity.

“Our target is to get to a 75% uptake of that cohort, and so far we’re on track. I’m slightly concerned that we’re not getting the response from health and care workers that I had hoped we’d get, so I would encourage those workers in particular to take up that opportunity, in addition, of course, to vulnerable people, and to come forward if it’s offered.”

She added: “I know that in Clwyd South, 34% of the people eligible have already had their vaccinations.”

BCUHB is continuing to offer boosters in priority order in line with JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) advice, by age and clinical vulnerability.

A health board spokesperson said: “All autumn booster appointments will be arranged by invitation, so there is no need to contact us. Anyone who has received an invitation and has any concerns, queries or needs to change the date or time can do so via our COVID-19 Vaccination Contact Centre on 03000 840004. Telephone lines are open 8am-7pm Monday to Friday and 9am-2pm on weekends.”