NORTH Wales will start their plans to help top up people’s COVID protection with a booster jab in the early autumn.

Mark Drakeford told the Leader at a press conference in Cardiff how it will be another huge effort from the health service to deliver extra safety against the virus ahead of the winter months – when it is known to spread more easily.

Wales has so far had an incredibly successful vaccination programme – credited as one of the best in the UK.

He explained how Wales will soon be launching its booster campaign for the most vulnerable in our communities who were first jabbed several months ago.

He said: “Plans are in from every health board in the country. We are waiting for the final advice from the JCVI.

“If it comes early in the month then we can start the booster campaign in August, focusing on the most vulnerable people. If we don't get it until the end of the month then it will start in September.

"From our point of view, the sooner we can start the more effective it will be."

Speaking for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in North Wales, their executive director of nursing and midwifery, Gill Harris, said: “Along with the rest of NHS Wales, we have been undertaking detailed planning for a COVID-19 booster campaign, which will begin in September.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should be given to those who are most vulnerable to serious infection, as there is a likelihood that the immunity provided from having two doses could reduce over time.”

Below is an example if the priority groups, based on the JCVI’s interim advice, that will get their booster jabs as part of a two-stage process:

Stage 1:

• Adults aged 16 and over who are immunosuppressed

• Those living in residential care homes for older adults

• All adults aged 70 years or over

• Adults aged 16 years and over who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable

• Frontline health and social care workers

Stage 2:

• All adults aged 50 years and over

• Adults aged 16-49 year who are in an influenza or COVID-19 at-risk group

• Adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals

Ms Harris added: “There is no need for people in these groups to contact us. We will contact those that are eligible when it is their turn.

In order to roll the COVID-19 vaccine booster programme out as quickly and efficiently as possible, we are currently planning where operationally possible for boosters to be administered through a combination of Vaccination Centres, GP surgeries and Community Pharmacies.

“This is similar to the delivery model used during the initial programme. This mixed approach, which utilises the expertise of our primary care partners, is essential, given the rural nature of many of the communities we serve.”