COVID-19 vaccination programme vaccine update: 19 October 2021

Our COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy for Wales was published on 11 January 2021 and together with the below updates, sets out the detail of the Vaccination Programme in Wales.

• COVID-19 vaccination strategy update February 2021
• COVID-19 vaccination strategy update March 2021
• COVID-19 vaccination strategy update June 2021
• COVID-19 vaccination strategy for autumn and winter 2021

Our strategy is focused on 3 key areas:

• Our priorities – we continue to work closely with the UK Government on supply. Based on what we know about supply and the priority cohorts set by the JCVI, we have set key milestones.
• Our vaccination infrastructure - making sure that people can access their vaccination offer - the places to go to get vaccinated, people to give the vaccination and the appointment and digital recording and reporting system set up.
• Keeping up to date and informed about the vaccination programme - we are committed to providing information to keep everyone in Wales updated about the vaccination programme.

We have published our Vaccination Strategy for Autumn and Winter setting out how the vaccination programme will continue to deliver effectively, efficiently and at pace into the autumn and winter months to keep Wales safe.

Our COVID-19 vaccination Autumn and Winter strategy focuses on vaccinating the most vulnerable, vaccinating children and young people, booster vaccinations and re-affirms our commitment not to leave anyone behind. The strategy sets out our aims and ambitions for each of these areas, including the following:

• People who are severely immuno-suppressed will be offered a third dose of vaccine to provide them with as much protection as possible. They will be prioritised for an urgent appointment at a time that’s right for them based on their treatment and the advice of their clinician.
• By 1 November offers will be made for one dose for all 12-15 year olds and a booster vaccination for care home residents and health and care staff.
• By 31 December we aim to have vaccinated the majority of people eligible for a booster.

It is important that you make informed choices about the COVID-19 vaccine based on accurate information, so please ensure you use trusted information to get the facts. Public Health Wales website should be able to help you answer any questions you may have.

To avoid scammers remember, no one in Wales will be asked to pay for their COVID-19 vaccine, nor will they be asked for any bank details before or after their appointment with the NHS. The COVID-19 vaccination is free for everyone eligible, you do not need to give payment details or make a payment to receive the vaccine.

If you have received something you’re not sure about there are a couple of things you can do:

• If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk
• If you have come across a website which you think may be fake and trying to scam you, report it using this online form.
• Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to 7726. This free-of-charge short code enables your provider to investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious.

Getting vaccinated against preventable diseases is the right thing to do to protect yourself and others from deadly diseases.

From the 11 October, the COVID Pass is compulsory for everyone attending:

• nightclubs and similar venues
• indoor non-seated events for more than 500 people. This would include conventions and concerts
• outdoor non-seated events for more than 4,000 people
• any setting or event for more than 10,000 people, such as a rugby or football match.

The COVID Pass confirms your vaccination status or that you have had a negative lateral flow test result within the past 48 hours. If you are registered with a GP in the UK, were vaccinated in Wales or England and are aged 16 or over, you can get a digital NHS COVID Pass.

Read the guidance to stakeholders.

Access the COVID Pass using a smart phone, a computer or laptop.

Further information and guidance will be made available by the Welsh Government in the near future. View the current guidance on accessing the COVID Pass.

Phase 3 of our programme is well underway; we are sending appointment letters and delivering boosters to those who are eligible, identifying those who are severely immunosuppressed and need a third primary dose and vaccinating 12-17 year olds. As we continue to operate on the principle of no one left behind, the NHS continues to go back and offer those in priority groups 1-9 who have not taken up their offer yet. 

We are administering vaccination as follows:

• First doses for remaining adults aged 18 and over so that no one is left behind
• Initial dose for young people aged 16 and 17
• First doses for children aged 12 to 15 
• Second doses for all those who are eligible
• Third primary dose for the immunosuppressed
• Booster doses for the most vulnerable 

Summary of our overall progress:

• In total more than 4.6 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in Wales
• High take up of both first and second doses in priority groups 1 to 4, protecting our most vulnerable
• More than 2.4 million people have had a first dose and more than 2.23 million people have received their full course of vaccine
• 77.9% of adults aged 18 to 29 and 78.5% of adults aged 30 to 39 have received their first dose
• 74% of 16 and 17 year olds have received their initial dose
• Invitations will go out to all children and young people aged 12-15 by the end of October half term, 30.9% of 12 to 15 years olds have received the vaccination
• Booster programme underway to protect the most vulnerable.

The vaccine continues to be the best way to prevent serious illness and the spread of COVID-19 and everyone is urged to take-up their offer of a vaccine. 

The Chief Medical Officer encourages pregnant women to have their COVID-19 vaccine.

Help on how to get your vaccination is available.

Public Health Wales has helpful FAQs on their website about the vaccine and safety, they are also publishing daily and weekly surveillance data releases.

A range of information on our vaccination programme is available on our website, including guidance published relating to the priority groups. 

Welsh Government statisticians are also publishing some of the more operational statistics attached to the programme each week.