North Wales health board gears up for an influx of vaccine doses in the New Year

There will be 19 vaccination centres set up in North Wales as the health board gears up for an influx of vaccine doses in the New Year.

The region’s Rainbow Hospitals will be in Deeside, Llandudno and Bangor called into action for the largest mass vaccination programme in the region’s history.

They will be supported by a network of local vaccination centres in: Anglesey; Caernarfon; seven more in rural Gwynedd; Denbigh; one site in rural Conwy; three sites in Rhyl and the surrounding areas and two in the Wrexham area.

The details are contained in a local authority briefing note seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) and sent to all North Wales county councils by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

In addition to the Rainbow Hospitals up to 16 towns across North Wales will host vaccination centres as more doses of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine arrive – and with the anticipated approval of another developed by Oxford University and Astra Zeneca.

Health board bosses believe there will be enough supply of the Covid jab to immunise everyone that needs it. This comes after the health board had to scale back plans to immunise staff in the central and eastern board areas this week, after a lack of supply of the vaccine.

It said: “Enough supply is expected to cover all of the priority groups over the coming months, although the delivery models continue to be refined in response to the vaccine characteristics and supply, availability of suitable locations, and staffing.

“We are seeking clarity from Welsh Government on vaccine supply, as this will determine our plans for maintaining the vaccination programme over the Christmas period.”

The note details how anyone who suffers an anaphylactic reaction should not be given the injection – something being made crystal clear to all potential recipients.

It said: “Individuals will have a 15 minute post-vaccination observation period to ensure they are well to leave following their vaccine. The health board is ensuring all staff are trained in identifying anaphylactic reactions, and anaphylaxis kit will be available at all vaccination centres.”

The document also reveals care homes staff from all six counties in North Wales are being mass inoculated at Llandudno’s Rainbow Hospital from December 15-17.

It also details how the North Wales health board area was the first in Wales to trial delivery of the vaccine to care home residents where they live.

The first doses were given to residents of Bryn Yr Haul care home in Mold today.

This follows regulatory guidance the vaccine, which has to be stored below -70C, can now be broken down into doses in walk-in fridges and transported once more to its final destination between 2C and 8C.

Almost 2,000 doses should arrive in North Wales before Christmas with staff in the central area who treat cancer patients, as well as those with immune deficiencies, next in line to receive the jab – followed by emergency department staff.

The briefing note continued: “In the New Year, in line with an expected increase in vaccine availability, the delivery model will involve the full deployment of Mass Vaccination Centres (MVCs) at Deeside, Llandudno and Bangor.”

The paper ends by saying if any additional vaccine is received before Christmas those in greatest need will get it first.

The health board will contact people in line for the jab and has asked that no one calls up GP surgeries or health board lines asking for a vaccination appointment.

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter.