Over half a million first dose vaccines given out in Wales in 60 days

Today is the 60th day since COVID-19 vaccinations began in Wales and also marks the day when more than half a million people received their first COVID-19 vaccination.

As the total vaccinated exceeds more than 523,000 today, this now means almost one in every six adults have had their first dose of the vaccine.

The latest stats from Welsh Government, and the local health board have been updated this lunchtime.

More than half a million people across Wales have received their first dose – with Welsh Government saying this will rise to 600,000 within a matter of days, who added, “That’s the same as filling the Principality Stadium in Cardiff seven times or the Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay 86 times or someone every four seconds.”

Of the top 4 priority groups, Wales has vaccinated:

• 83% of over 80s
• 62% of 75 to 79 year olds
• 34% of 70 to 74 year olds
• More than 112,400 frontline health and social care workers

Wales is on track to have offered vaccinations to those eligible people in the top four priority groups by mid-February, if supplies continue at their current rate
Around one third of everyone in the top 9 priority groups have been vaccinated too.

Although previously saying it is not a race or competition, and the Health Minister saying he was not keen for external comparisons, Welsh Government note, “Last week, Wales vaccinated more people per population than any other UK nation”.

There are 34 mass vaccination centres open across Wales at any one time and most are open seven days a week with six more mass vaccination centres are due to open in the coming weeks, and 17 hospital sites are also providing vaccines.

Very little vaccine has gone to waste, with less than 1% not been used, this is described as “exceptionally low” with thanks to the “committed workforce delivering this precious resource”.

Once someone has had the vaccine, there is a reminder for everyone to follow the same steps to keep themselves and Wales safe; wear a mask, keep a 2m distance, wash your hands regularly and keep rooms as well ventilated as possible.

The latest overview locally has been given by the health board:

• Number of vaccinations given yesterday: 6,252
• Total number of vaccinations given to date: 120,896

Detail on the priority groups vaccinated to date is broken down as: Older adult, care home residents: 4,168, Care home workers: 9,019, Those aged 80 year of age and over: 35,691, Health care workers: 20,897, Social care workers: 7,288, Other*: 43,691.

*Other: All North Wales residents under the age of 80 not included in the priority groups shown above. Patients reported in the rest of the population category are subject to validation and numbers are likely to change.

Vaccinations by Local Authority area to date is also given – with the top image showing the bar chart. The raw data is: Anglesey: 13,320, Gwynedd: 20,670, Conwy: 25,207, Denbighshire: 18,005, Flintshire: 21,194, Wrexham: 18,679, Other: 3,681.

A further reminder has been given that you will be invited to for an appointment when it is your turn – so don’t call your local health services, unless you are asked to do so, as this will add to their already pressured workloads.