Pockets of vaccine refusals are digging in across North Wales as health chiefs attempt to extend the region’s jabbing programme. refDP
Everyone in the region has now been offered the jab – but Gill Harris, executive director of nursing and midwifery, said resistance and apathy is hardening.
On Tuesday, August 31, for example, 93% of people contacted refused to take up the offer of a jab.
“Our call centre staff made contact with 1,513 people to offer appointments and only 111 accepted them,” said Ms Harris.
“While we know there will be people who in these remaining pockets of the population, we will continue to encourage them to do so as we prepare to move on to the next phase of the programme.”
While Covid hospital admissions are down almost 90% compared to the second wave, infection rates are rising sharply in parts of North Wales and there is concern about the potential impact of the Bank Holiday crowds.
Proportionately, more younger people being admitted to hospital than in previous waves, coinciding with lower levels of vaccine uptake.
“We would like to repeat our appeal for everyone who is eligible to come forward and get vaccinated,” added Ms Harris.
The North Wales health board is still waiting for official advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on the scope of its Covid booster programme.
However the health board has drawn up a provisional plan, with the over 70s, health workers and clinically vulnerable adults due to be in the first phase.
They will be followed by over 50s and at-risk groups.
The health board has warned it will not be standard practice to deliver Covid booster jabs and Flu vaccinations at the same time.
Despite the vast complexity of the jabbing roll-out, Betsi’s vaccine wastage levels have been extraordinarily low, said Ms Harris.
“Of the one million or so doses administered by our staff, just 545 (0.05%) have been wasted because of human error,” she said.
