Powys residents urged to take up their COVID-19 vaccines

Powys residents urged to take up their COVID-19 vaccines before the end of the ‘leave nobody behind’ universal booster offer on 31 March

The plea follows the announcement by the Minister for Health and Social Services that the universal third dose, which was offered to all the population of Wales aged over 16 and to at risk individuals from five years old from the Autumn of 2021, will cease on 31 March, with the end of the universal primary course vaccine following on 30 June.

Nicola Benge, Consultant in Public Health for Powys Teaching Health Board said: “In January the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) made recommendations for changes to the universal vaccines offer, which was designed to ensure that everyone received an offer of a vaccine.

“In Wales that recommendation has now been accepted, as the nation moves from an emergency pandemic response to COVID-19 to managing it on a more sustainable ‘business as usual’ manner. Therefore, in Powys, like the rest of Wales, we will be following the Minister’s recommendation.

“This means that the universal offer of the initial two-dose primary course of the vaccine that was offered from December 2020 to all of the population aged over five will cease on 30 June 2023. The universal booster dose will cease on 31 March 2023.”

Within the county Powys Teaching Health Board’s Mass Vaccination Centres (MVCs) – located in Newtown, Llandrindod Wells and Bronllys – will continue delivering ‘walk-in’ COVID-19 vaccines until the respective primary dose and booster universal offers end.

“In addition to the COVID-19 vaccines,” continues Nicola Benge, “Powys’ MVCs are also offering free NHS walk-in flu vaccinations for all eligible adults, with free children’s flu vaccines available on a pre-booked basis.

“Many of the county’s GP surgeries are also maintaining their free flu vaccine offer, so it is best to check with your local surgery if their available times and location suit your personal circumstances better.

“It is very important that everyone most at risk from serious complications from Influenza takes up their vaccine offer. Flu is more likely to be serious if you have a long-term health condition, are pregnant, or are older. The people at high risk of COVID-19 are generally the same people at increased risk of becoming very ill with flu. Flu can also be serious for young children.

“The disease is continuing to circulate, and as a vaccinated individual you cut your chances of catching a severe infection considerably.”

If any of the following apply to you, even if you feel healthy, you are more likely to get complications from flu if you catch it, and you are advised to have a flu vaccine if:

• You are pregnant
• You are aged 50 or over
• You have a long-term health condition that puts you at increased risk from flu
• You live in a care home

The following groups are also advised to have a flu vaccine to protect them and the people around them:

• Children aged two and three years old (age on 31 August 2021)
• Children and young people in school years Reception to Year 11
• Carers
• People working directly with patients/clients in health or social care
• Those who live with someone who has a compromised immune system
• Most children and young people will get a nasal spray vaccine as this is the best flu vaccine for them. It is a fine mist sprayed up the nose and can be given from the age of two.

For more information about respiratory illness vaccines in Powys, which includes COVID-19 and Flu, please visit https://pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/ and https://pthb.nhs.wales/flu/ respectively

Released: 10/03/2023