NEARLY 750,000 Covid vaccinations have been delivered in North Wales, but health officials have expressed concerns over the number of people continue to miss their jab appointments.

To date, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) has delivered 736,501 vaccinations across North Wales, with 271,054 people now having received their first and second doses.

However, the health board says it continues to see a "high number" of people missing their vaccine appointments.

"We know that people want to get back to normality and do the things they enjoy most, particularly as we reach the summer months," the health board said.

"The best way for us to do this is to make sure everyone who is eligible for the vaccine gets it."

BCUHB said that real world data released in the last week shows that the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are "highly effective" against the strain of the so-called Indian variant of Covid-19 after two doses.

People are urged to:

  • Let the health board know if they cannot attend their appointment.
  • Still attend their appointment if they have any concerns about receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, so these concerns can be discussed.
  • Make an informed decision about whether they wish to be vaccinated, based on the latest information from trusted sources, such as the Public Health Wales website.
  • Be aware that vaccination provides the best protection from becoming seriously ill with Covid-19, and it is our best route out of the pandemic. As lockdown measures continue to ease, proof of vaccination may be required to enable you to enjoy a range of social activities, such as holidaying abroad, or attending concerts, festivals or sporting events.

Volunteers from within a 50-mile radius of Wrexham are now also needed to take part in a new clinical trial to receive a third ‘booster’ Covid-19 vaccine.

Public Health Wales is recruiting over 30s who have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine to take part in this research study, including those immunised early in the vaccination programme. For example, adults aged 75 and over or health and care workers.

The COV-Boost study, which is being run at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, is taking place at 18 sites in the UK and will involve 2,886 volunteers.

The trial is looking at seven different Covid-19 vaccines as potential boosters, given at least 10 to 12 weeks after a second dose as part of the ongoing vaccination programme. Volunteers could receive a different brand to the one they were originally vaccinated with.

It is the first in the world to provide vital data on the impact of a third dose on patients’ immune responses. It will give scientists from around the world and the experts behind the UK’s Covid-19 vaccination programme a better idea of how effective a booster of each vaccine is in protecting people from the virus.

The study is looking to include people from a wide variety of backgrounds and those from ethnic minorities are encouraged to apply.

Anyone interested in finding out more and signing up can visit the study website: https://www.covboost.org.uk/participate-wrexham