Everything you need to know as Covid-19 vaccine rolled out across Wales

Since recording began, in Wales there has been 91,013 cases of coronavirus and 2,711 deaths.

In North Wales there has been 13,538 positive cases of coronavirus and 546 deaths,

Residents have had to face tight restrictions for months and workers began to do their jobs from home after the world essentially came to a halt.

However, after a worrying year there is now a ‘small glimmer of light’ at the end of a ‘long and dark tunnel’.

News previously broke of a vaccine becoming available, and it will now be rolled out across Wales today as part of the start of a vaccination programme.

The Welsh Government and NHS have been preparing for today since June.

This is everything you need to know:

The start of the vaccination programme comes just days after the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the first Covid-19 vaccine for use in the UK, confirming its safety and effectiveness for mass vaccination centre use, based on a detailed independent expert review of the results of large scale clinical trials.

As of December 8, the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech will be rolled out in the UK with 40 million doses.

Wales will be getting a share of the allocation based on its population, First Minister Mark Drakeford previously said.

In the first wave of vaccine deliveries, Wales will receive almost 40,000 doses, enough for nearly 20,000 people.

Storage:

The vaccine must be stored at a temperature of -70. Despite the specific storage and preparation challenges posed by the vaccine, work continues to ensure a safe deployment of effective vaccine to care home residents.

How can I get a vaccine?

You will be notified when the vaccine is available to you, these invitations will be sent out automatically.

The Leader has previously reported that the vaccine is not mandatory and people do not have to receive it.

All health boards will start administering vaccines to care home staff, those over 80 years and frontline health and social care workers most at risk – over 6000 doses will be given by the end of this week.

When can I get a vaccine?

The order advised appears to be older residents in care homes and care home workers, then all of those aged 80 years of age and over with health and social care workers.

Next would be all of those aged 75 and over, then those aged 70 and over, then those aged 65 and over.

The next group to receive the vaccine would be high-risk adults under 65 years of age, moderate risk adults under 65, all of those aged 60 and over, all of those aged 55 and over and all of those aged 50 and over.

It will then become available to the rest of the UK population.

Margaret Keenan, 90, received the jab at 6.31am in Coventry on Tuesday, marking the start of a phased rollout of the vaccine to older people, NHS staff and care home workers.

Mrs Keenan said: "I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against Covid-19, it's the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year.

"I can't thank May and the NHS staff enough who have looked after me tremendously, and my advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it - if I can have it at 90 then you can have it too."

How many doses do you need?

The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine requires two doses.

First Minister Mark Drakeford, said: “Last week, Wales was the first country in the world to receive supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Today, I’m very proud Wales has become one of the first countries in the world to begin the roll-out of the vaccine to its population.

“2020 has been a very difficult year for all of us.

"This vaccine is a small glimmer of light at the end of what has been a long and dark tunnel.

“But the fact we have a vaccine does not mean we can stop doing those things that keep us safe.

"We must all continue to do our bit to prevent the spread of coronavirus: regular hand washing, social distancing, and wearing a face covering where required to protect yourself and others.”

Is it safe?

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Vaccines can take many years, even decades, to develop.

"The fact that a safe and effective vaccine has been developed in less than year is a remarkable tribute to all scientists and researchers around the world who have worked so hard to find a vaccine for COVID-19.

“We have been working really hard to plan for its arrival.

"Today, the first people in Wales will receive the vaccine. This is the positive news we have all been waiting for.

“We will now do everything we can to ensure we successfully deliver the COVID-19 vaccine across Wales in the days, weeks and months ahead.”

Can we go back to 'normal' now?

Earlier this month at a UK Government press conference, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer warned that coronavirus will be 'with mankind forever', despite positive news of the vaccine.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam welcomed the 'momentous journey' but said the virus would not be wiped out completely.

He added that coronavirus could become a 'seasonal problem' and some habits now may need to persist.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was vital not to get carried away but the struggle was not over.