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Vaccination newsletter 28th of September 2022

Image shows man relaxing on sofa and looking at a tablet computer.

Welcome to the latest edition of our vaccination newsletter.

So far, around 30,000 Covid autumn booster vaccinations have been given by the health board at our local vaccination centres, also by GP practices and by 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.

Some people will already have had their appointments, others will follow.

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.

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.

 

Why are more vaccinations being offered?

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.

 

Who can get the vaccines?

Those who are eligible for the Covid autumn 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:

1.     Children aged two and three will be offered the nasal spray flu vaccination by their GP surgery.

2.     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.

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.