Vaccination newsletter 10th of June 2021

By the start of next week all over 18s in Wales will have been offered their first Covid vaccination. This milestone will be hit an astonishing six weeks ahead of the original target, which was the end of July.

Earlier this week the Welsh Government also announced it expects to achieve 75% first-dose take up across all priority and age groups a month ahead of schedule.

This brings what’s known as phase two of the vaccination programme to an end.

Phase three will see major focus on the ‘no one left behind’ principle of the vaccination programme. While overall take up rates are high, there are still some who remain unvaccinated.

Here in Swansea Bay, in other health boards across Wales and at a national level a lot of work is being done to understand why this is and to address the needs of those who haven’t had their first dose, whether that be through increased access to information or more flexible and tailor-made approaches to offering the vaccination to different communities and groups, such as the use of the Immbulance mobile vaccination unit and drop-in sessions.

We’ll also be continuing with our second doses and all adults should have received theirs by the end of September.

There will also be a single booster dose for some people come the autumn and potentially the routine vaccination of children aged 12 to 18.

In common with other health boards we have started planning for this, but the final decision on who will get a vaccine and in what order rests at a UK level with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

We expect to hear more soon and will share our roll-out plans with you as soon as we can.

So as you can see, there’s still plenty to do and we’ll keep you up to date every step of the way.

Latest figures

Please note: Figures correct as of 11.30am on Thursday, June 10^th. These figures are for the Swansea Bay University Health Board area, not the whole of Wales.

1^st dose: 265,448

2^nd dose: 160,842

Doses given in GP practices (first and second doses): 113,400

Running total (1^st and 2^nd doses): 426,290

Latest news

Drop-in sessions this weekend Drop-in Covid vaccine sessions are being held at the Bay Field Hospital Mass Vaccination Centre this weekend:

• Saturday, June 12^th between 1pm and 7.30pm
• Sunday, June 13^th between 2pm and 7.30pm.

These sessions are for 18-39 year olds who haven’t had a first dose – we’ll be giving Pfizer on these days.

These sessions are not for second doses.

Remember to bring photo identification such as a passport or driving licence if you have one OR something which proves your age and, if possible, your address.

You do not need to be registered with a local doctor/GP. These sessions are open to everyone, including temporary residents such as students, temporary workers, those staying with relatives, refugees and those on their asylum journey. (But you are not a temporary resident for the purpose of these drop-in vaccination sessions if you are a holidaymaker.)

Here are a few other things you need to know about the sessions:

• If you’re still unsure about having the vaccination, our team will be available at these sessions to talk through your concerns. There is no judgement or obligation if you ask for advice. But if you do decide to get vaccinated we will either fit you in on the day or book an appointment at a date and time which is convenient for you.
• It’s going to be warm and sunny this weekend so if you are coming to one of our sessions, wear cool / loose-fitting clothing and bring a cold drink. Please leave children and pets at home.
• If demand for vaccinations is high, security may ask you to wait in your car near the site entrance until spaces become available in the vaccination centre. However, you will also have the option to book a vaccination appointment for another day and time which is convenient to you.
• Please do not bring touring caravans or trailers onto site.
• Go to this page on our website for more information about the drop-in vaccination sessions this weekend.

What about those 40 and over who haven’t had their first dose? Go to this page on our website and sign up to our reserve list as soon as possible.

You can also contact our booking team direct on 01792 200492 or 01639 862323 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday or email: sbu.covidbookingteam@wales.nhs.uk

Second doses These are being given at around 12 weeks after the first dose, whatever brand of vaccine you have had. You will automatically be sent a second dose appointment. All adults should have received theirs by the end of September.

With the emergence of new variants of concern such as the Delta variant, which was first seen in India, it is hugely important that everyone has two doses of the vaccine to ensure they have maximum protection.

Hot topic We know many of you continue to have questions about the safety of Covid vaccines. So today we’re addressing two of the most commonly asked questions, giving answers in simple bullet-point form and giving links to credible sources of further information.

Question 1: The Covid vaccines are still in clinical trials for another two to three years so how can they be safe?

• This is untrue as it mixes up estimated study completion dates with the end dates of clinical trials. Some posts on the internet and social media use these study end dates (2023 for Pfizer) but fail to give the proper context.
• It is standard practice for vaccine safety monitoring (the ongoing studies) to continue after vaccine approval and this is what is happening.
• All vaccines completed clinical trials and were deemed safe before they were rolled out to the public. The findings of phase III trials were peer reviewed and published in medical journals.
• Some people believe the vaccines were rolled out too quickly because steps were skipped, but this wasn’t the case. The Government made sure all the funding was in place, the regulator speeded up the completion of paperwork and the drug companies were able to conduct some parts of these trials alongside each other, which saved time.
• Go to this page on the website run by the fact-checking charity Full Fact for more detailed information.

Question 2: Can the Covid vaccines affect a woman’s fertility?

• There is no evidence at all to suggest that is the case.
• Dr Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), said: “There is​ ​no biologically plausible mechanism by which current vaccines would cause any impact on women's fertility.  Evidence has not been presented that women who have been vaccinated have gone on to have fertility problems.” Go to this page to read the full joint statement from the RCOG and The Royal College of Midwives.
• A myth that circulated on the internet speculated that a spike protein on the coronavirus, which is attacked by the antibodies produced by a vaccinated person, is similar to a protein found in the placenta. However, this is untrue. They are not similar enough for there to be any cause for concern.
• In this video, Professor Lucy Chappell from the RCOG explains more.
• Go to the RCOG website for further detailed information including Q&As.