Covid booster and flu vaccinations - autumn 2022
Page created: 16.08.2022
Updated: 13.03.2023
The end of the Covid-19 vaccine boosters and primary doses
The offer of the Covid-19 vaccine boosters will end on 31st March 2023.
The offer to all of the two primary doses (first and second) of the Covid-19 vaccine will end on 30th June 2023.
If you’re eligible for your booster and still haven’t received it, or if you still haven’t received your first two Covid-19 vaccines, there’s still time!
If you haven’t had your first or second dose, remember you'll need 12 weeks in between.
Vaccines are available by dropping into our local vaccination centres at Canolfan Gorseinon Centre and Aberafan Shopping Centre, our Immbulance when it’s in the community or you can contact our booking team on 01792 200492 or 01639 862323 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Or email: SBU.COVIDbookingteam@wales.nhs.uk
Please note – drop-ins are for booster and primary doses ONLY. Those eligible for spring boosters will be sent an appointment.
Our local vaccination centres are now offering flu as well as Covid vaccination. No appointment needed.
Flu: The nasal spray vaccination for children aged two to 16, injectable vaccination for all adults at risk and for all over 50s.
New data also shows that the nasal spray flu vaccination, which helps protect children from flu, may also reduce the rate of group A strep infections.
Covid: First or second doses for anyone aged 5+ and latest booster (autumn booster) for those at risk and eligible.
February and March opening times
Please note, the centres may be closed on strike days.
| Aberafan Shopping Centre (river bridge / Tesco end) | Opening hours (no appointment needed) |
| Monday to Saturday | 10.00am to 6.00pm |
| Canolfan Gorseinon Centre | Opening hours (no appointment needed) |
| Monday to Saturday | 10.00am to 6.00pm |
*Please note that GP practices and community pharmacies also continue to offer vaccination. And some school catch-up sessions for the flu nasal spray will be offered.
Pregnant women
Flu
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
*Whooping cough - The whooping cough vaccine is also recommended during pregnancy to protect your baby in the first few weeks of life. It will be offered by your GP.
COVID-19
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
People aged 50 or over
Flu
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
COVID-19
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
Carers aged 16 or over
Flu
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
COVID-19
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
People with a long-term health condition that increases the risk
Flu
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
COVID-19
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
People who live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Flu
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
COVID-19
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
All staff working in care homes for older adults
Flu
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
COVID-19
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
People who live in a care home
Flu
Vaccinators will visit you.
COVID-19
Vaccinators will visit you.
People with a learning disability
Flu
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
COVID-19
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
People with a severe mental illness
Flu
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
COVID-19
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
Frontline health and social care workers
Flu
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
COVID-19
See information on drop-in sessions at the top of the page.
NHS Staff
Flu
See information at top of page. Vaccinations are also available at all sites via appointment with occupational health. Contact 01792 703610 for an appointment. Any further on-site vaccinations will be advertised on the intranet.
COVID-19
See information at top of page. Vaccinations are also available at all sites via appointment with occupational health. Contact 01792 703610 for an appointment. Any further on-site vaccinations will be advertised on the intranet.
Flu vaccine for children
- The yearly flu vaccine is recommended for all children from the age of two (age on 31 August 2022) up to and including school year 11.
- See drop-in information at the top of this page.
More information
Go to this page on the Public Health Wales website to find out more about flu vaccination.
Go to this page on the Public Health Wales website to find out more about Covid vaccination.
Latest updates
Update: 28.09.22
So far, around 30,000 Covid autumn booster vaccinations have been given by the health board at our local vaccination centres, GP practices and community pharmacies.
We’re on course to have offered everyone in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot who is eligible for a Covid autumn booster a vaccination by the beginning of December, as per the Welsh Government’s ambition.
We’ll let you know when it’s your turn and where you need to go. There is no need to contact the health board or your GP to ask for an appointment. Please be patient. *We’re not able to tell individuals when their appointments will be via social media.*
GP practices are offering flu vaccinations to those who are eligible. You’ll be contacted when it’s your turn.
We’re on course to have offered everyone in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot who is eligible for a free flu vaccination an appointment by the end of December, as per the Welsh Government’s ambition.
Vaccination is a choice, but we strongly recommend you do not delay and have them when offered to help protect your health and the NHS this winter.
Where possible, you will be offered both the Covid autumn booster and the separate flu vaccination at the same time – one in each arm. This is safe, does not affect how the vaccines work and saves you coming back for a second appointment.
Covid is still circulating and we expect cases to rise this winter. As the immunity from vaccines reduces over time, it’s important to have the Covid booster even if you’ve had all the other Covid vaccines or had Covid and experienced a mild illness.
If you have missed a previous Covid booster dose, you will only need to have the autumn booster dose. The booster reminds your immune system to prepare for the threat, lowering the chance of infection and providing a high level of protection against severe illness from Covid, which could lead to a hospital stay.
Scientists look at what strains of flu have been circulating in the southern hemisphere, so the strains in the vaccine may cover those circulating here this winter. Australia has seen a rise in Covid and flu, which is seen as a sign we could also have a bad winter.
Previous updates below:
Update: 01.09.22
The roll out of the Covid autumn booster vaccine begins today (Thursday, September 1st) in Wales.
Those who are eligible will be invited to have it this autumn.
We’ll let you know when it’s your turn and where you need to go. There is no need to contact the health board or your GP to ask for an appointment.
Please be patient.
If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an invite to have the booster at one location.
This could be one of our local vaccination centres (Canolfan Gorseinon or Aberafan Shopping Centre), a community pharmacy or your GP surgery.
Some people will already have received their appointments, others will follow.
If you receive a letter and wish to change or cancel your appointment, please follow the instructions on the letter.
Residents in care homes and the housebound will be visited by vaccinators.
If you’re missing a booster you’ll move on to receive your autumn booster only, as this will be sufficient to increase your protection.
The Covid autumn booster will support the immunity of those who are at greatest risk from the disease, improving their protection against severe illness and helping to protect the NHS during what is likely to be another challenging winter.
Those who are eligible for the booster will also be offered a separate flu vaccination, along with some others who will receive the flu vaccination only.
Those eligible are:
- Pregnant women
- People aged 50 and over
- People with a long-term health condition (from six months for flu and aged five for Covid)
- People who live in a care home
- People with a learning disability
- People with a severe mental illness
- People who live with someone who has a weakened immune system (from six months for flu and aged five for Covid)
- Carers aged 16 and over
- Frontline health and social care workers
- All staff working in care homes for older adults
Flu only
- Children aged two and three will be offered the nasal spray flu vaccination by their GP surgery.
- School pupils from reception to year 11 will be offered the nasal spray flu vaccination in school.
We’re leaving no one behind. So if you’re missing a first or second Covid vaccine, please contact our booking team on 01792 200492 or 01639 862323, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
16.08.22
The Covid autumn booster and flu vaccination campaign begins in September.
The aim is to boost the immunity of those at higher risk and those caring for the vulnerable.
This will improve protection against the severe illnesses which can be caused by these nasty respiratory viruses.
A single dose of Covid vaccine and a separate dose of flu vaccine will be offered to those who are eligible.
Some people will receive appointments shortly. Some will be sent later.
But all those eligible should be offered a Covid booster by the end of November and a flu vaccination by the end of December.
Many people will be able to have both vaccines, with the doses offered at the same appointment where possible.
Some health care workers had these vaccinations at the same time last autumn. Having one injection in each arm is safe and does not affect how the vaccines work.
With more than 30 places across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot offering vaccinations, it’s more likely that if you’re eligible you’ll receive your vaccination nearer home.
Locations will include some GP practices, around 20 pharmacies, our two Local Vaccination Centres and the Immbulance mobile vaccination clinic.
Residents in care homes and the housebound will be visited by vaccinators.
School children will receive their flu nasal spray in school.
For the Covid booster, in line with JCVI advice, eligible adults aged 18+ will initially be offered the Moderna vaccine which protects from the original Covid virus and the Omicron variant.
Those eligible under 18 will be offered the Pfizer vaccine. Both will be offered at least three months after a previous dose.
We’ll give out more detail when we have it.
We’ve listed the eligible groups below.
Covid autumn booster:
- Residents and staff working in care homes for older adults
- Frontline health and social care workers
- All adults aged 50 years and over
- People aged five to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women
- People aged five to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- People aged 16-49 who are carers.
Flu:
- All adults aged 50 years and over
- Staff in nursing homes and care homes with regular client contact
- Staff providing frontline NHS/primary care services, healthcare workers with direct patient contact
- Staff providing domiciliary care
- People aged six months to 49 years in a clinical risk group
- Individuals experiencing homelessness
- Pregnant women
- Carers
- People with a learning disability
- People with a severe mental illness
- Children aged two to three years
- Children in school from reception to Year 11 (inclusive)
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.