Covid: All 16 and 17-year-olds in Wales to get jab offer
- Published
All 16 and 17-year-olds in Wales will receive their offer of a coronavirus vaccine by the end of this week, Health Minister Eluned Morgan has said.
It follows guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on vaccinating over 16s.
There are about 67,142 people in that age group in Wales.
Walk-in clinics are open throughout Wales so people can receive a dose at their convenience.
Health boards have been running mobile clinics, speaking to large employers and setting up transport to vaccination centres, as well as working with vulnerable people on a one-to-one basis.
A mobile vaccination unit will be at the Pembrokeshire Show, despite the event only being open to participants this year.
"Our vaccination programme is world leading, but we know that there are still some people who have yet to take up the offer of a vaccine," Ms Morgan said.
The percentage of Covid infections being reported in younger people is much higher than in previous waves.
Meanwhile, an appeal has been issued for all attendees of a year 11 pupils' graduation party held at the Cwrt Bleddyn hotel near Usk, Monmouthshire, last Wednesday, to get a PCR test.
Year 11 pupils age between 15 and 16, so many will not yet have been offered a Covid vaccine.
Multiple councils have joined Public Health Wales in the appeal after a significant number of positive cases were linked to attendance at the private event held at the hotel.
Goldie Lookin Chain join jab push
Newport band Goldie Lookin Chain (GLC) released a new song encouraging people to get the jab after all members had been vaccinated.
The music video was filmed at a walk-in vaccination centre in Newport, in the streets surrounding the Kingsway shopping centre and the band appears at the Welsh government's press room in Cathays Park.
Rhys Hutchings from GLC, said: "We are all well excited to be getting back on stage and into the studio now that everyone is getting the vax. We should all be able to get back to work safely now.
"Get both jabs if you haven't already, the people down at the centres are well nice and it's free too."
Ms Morgan added: "We are really grateful to Goldie Lookin Chain for helping promote and support vaccine uptake.
"If you haven't had a vaccine yet, it's never too late. All health boards have appointments available."
In England, 16 and 17-year-olds are expected to be offered a first dose by 23 August.