Health

New Covid vaccine arrives first in West Wales

Published

4 years ago

April 12, 2021

THE FIRST person in the UK to receive the Moderna vaccine against Covid-19 got their jab at 8:30 in the morning of Wednesday, April 7, at West Wales General Hospital.

The recipient was Elle Taylor, aged 24. Ms Taylor is an unpaid carer from Ammanford.

Speaking after receiving the vaccine, the 24-year-old, who works at a further education college, said: “I’m very excited and very happy.

“I’m an unpaid carer for my grandmother, so it is very important to me that I get it, so I can care for her properly and safely.

“My grandmother has had her first dose and she is going for her second dose on Saturday.”

Miss Taylor said she only found out on Tuesday evening that she was to be the first in the UK to receive the jab by Moderna, an American company.

HEALTH BOARD ‘DELIGHTED’

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised the Moderna vaccine as safe and effective in January 2021 following rigorous clinical trials.
Moderna is the third Covid-19 vaccine distributed in the UK.
Two other vaccines, the Pfizer vaccine and the Astra Zeneca vaccine, are already in use across the UK. 31 million people across the UK have received their first shot of one of those vaccines since the inoculation programme began in December last year.
Supplies arrived in Wales on Tuesday, April 6.
5,000 doses were delivered to vaccination centres in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.
The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose vaccine given at an interval of between four and twelve weeks.
Ros Jervis, Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda University Health Board, added: “We’re delighted to be able to use the Moderna vaccine for deployment across west Wales.
“We will be using this new vaccine, alongside Oxford Astra-Zeneca, to continue the immunisation’s roll out to our communities in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
“We are incredibly lucky to have a third vaccine in Wales, with a long shelf life and the ability to be easily transported, to help deliver the vaccination programme to small clinics across our rural communities.”

THE MODERNA VACCINE EXPLAINED

The Moderna vaccine does not contain the virus to produce immunity.
It cannot give you COVID-19.
The injection stimulates the body’s natural defences (immune system). It works by making the body produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus that causes the COVID-19 infection.
The vaccine delivers the ‘instructions’ that cells in the body can use to make antibodies to fight the virus that causes COVID-19.
As with any vaccine, Moderna may not fully protect all those who receive it. Those who get it may not be fully protected until two weeks after the vaccine’s second dose.
In trials, the vaccine was 94.1% effective in preventing Covid-19 infection in patients with no prior history of the disease. It was 100% effective in preventing patients from developing the severe Covid-19 symptoms that lead to hospitalisation.
Although the Moderna vaccine is the priciest of the vaccines yet rolled out, it has an advantage over the Pfizer vaccine. It can be stored in a regular fridge for up to fourteen days after its delivery to a vaccination centre.
It contains no ingredient derived from animals.

A KEY MILESTONE

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “This is another key milestone in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The third vaccine for use in Wales significantly adds to our defences in the face of coronavirus. It will help to protect our most vulnerable.
“Every vaccine given to someone in Wales is a small victory against the virus, and we would encourage everyone to go for their vaccine when invited.
“If people cannot attend their appointment, we ask them to let the health board know via the contact details provided in their invitation as this vaccination slot can be offered to someone else rather than be wasted.
“Once you have been vaccinated, you should continue to follow guidance, staying two metres apart, washing your hands and wearing a face covering to protect those around you.
“I want to thank all those who have been working tirelessly to deliver the vaccine across Wales and help us meet our second milestone of offering a vaccine to all phase one priority groups. I also want to thank the 1.5 million people in Wales that have already come forward for their vaccine and done their bit in this national effort.”
Welsh Conservative deputy health spokesperson and candidate for Ceredigion and Mid and West Wales, Amanda Jenner, said: “The Conservative UK Government’s decision to go it alone has been fully vindicated with the phenomenal results of the British vaccination programme.
“The roll-out of the Moderna vaccine, administered by our outstanding NHS and volunteers, will boost our ability to protect Welsh people and restore our freedoms.”

VACCINE SUPPLIES

Starting from the middle of last year, the UK Government secured a deliberate oversupply of vaccine to ensure continuity of supply.
As part of that strategy, the Department of Health placed provisional orders – pending approval by the medicines’ regulator – of seven different vaccines in different stages of development.
The UK has ordered 40 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, and 17 million doses from Moderna.
A further four vaccines are either in clinical trials or awaiting MHRA approval: Novavax (60 million doses, Janssen (30 million doses), Valneva (60 million doses), GlaskoSmithKline (60 million doses).
The number of Covid-19 vaccine doses on order is enough to fully inoculate the UK’s entire population twice.

BOARD STATEMENT ON VACCINATION PROGRAMME

194,057 people in our three counties have now received their first dose of the vaccine, and 47,087 people are fully vaccinated having received both doses.
We will have offered a first dose of the vaccine to all those in priority groups 5-9 by Sunday 18 April.
To ensure no one is left behind, this week the health board has launched an appeal asking people in groups 1 to 9 who have not been contacted to get in touch to arrange their first vaccine dose.
If one or more of the following applies to you and you have not received your first vaccine appointment, please contact the health board on 0300 303 8322 or by email [email protected].uk by Friday 16 April:

are aged 50 or over
are aged 16 to 64 and have underlying health conditions that put you at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality
work in a care home or in health and social care in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire
are the primary unpaid carer of an elderly or disabled adult who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality, or a child with severe neuro-disabilities

Please be patient if you haven’t been contacted about your vaccine yet and we politely ask that you do not contact the health board or your GP to ask about your vaccine. You will be contacted when it is your turn.

THE SECOND DOSE

Second doses are essential for longer-term protection, so it’s important that everyone comes forward for their full course when called.
When you will be contacted for your second vaccine dose depends on which vaccine you have received.
We are asking anyone who received the Pfizer vaccine and has not received a second vaccine appointment yet, to get in touch as soon as possible on 0300 303 8322. Please note our phone lines get very busy at times and you may have to wait for the call to be answered. You can also contact us by emailing your name and contact phone number to [email protected].uk
The health board aims to complete all second Pfizer vaccine doses by week commencing Monday 12 April.
To check which vaccine you received, look at the card given to you when you received your first vaccine. It will say if you received either the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine or the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.
If you received a first vaccine dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, we politely ask that you do not contact your GP practice or health board at this time to ask about a second vaccine appointment. You will be contacted when it is your turn for a second dose – we are calling those who received a Pfizer first dose at this time.
Care home residents, people aged over 80 and all other priority groups who have received the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine at the GP surgery will be contacted between 11 to 12 weeks following their first vaccine with an appointment time.
Confidence is building around the effectiveness of the vaccines.

Emerging evidence is clear on the impact of the vaccine in preventing severe disease and hospitalisation. That is now playing out in admissions to our hospitals, and thankfully, numbers of deaths from coronavirus being reported.
UK and EU regulators have also been very clear about the safety of the vaccines. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh any possible risks.

All three vaccines are safe and effective.

Health

Hoax calls reach three-year high, says Welsh Ambulance Service

Published

6 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has seen a staggering 37% rise in hoax calls over the past three years, wasting valuable time and resources, a new investigation reveals.

Data from Medical Negligence Assist highlights that over 700 hours—equivalent to nearly 29 full days—of ambulance crew time has been lost responding to malicious calls since 2021.

During this period, WAS crews attended 463 face-to-face incidents later identified as deliberate hoaxes, severely straining emergency services already under pressure.

Rise in hoax calls over three years

2021/22: 334 hoax calls; 84 face-to-face responses.
2022/23: 373 hoax calls; 85 face-to-face responses.
2023/24: 457 hoax calls; 163 face-to-face responses.

The upward trend continues, with provisional figures for 2024/25 (April 1 to October 31) already recording 345 hoax calls and 131 face-to-face responses.

Strain across Wales

The geographic impact is widespread, with hoax calls reported in all areas of Wales. WAS officials warn that such incidents divert resources from genuine emergencies, potentially putting lives at risk.

A call to action

The 701 hours spent on hoax calls between 2021 and 2024 represent a critical drain on ambulance availability. A WAS spokesperson said: “Every minute wasted on a hoax call is a minute lost to someone in real need. These actions have serious, life-threatening consequences.”

“The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to recognize the harm caused by hoax calls and act responsibly.

“For information or to report suspicious activity, contact the Welsh Ambulance Service through their official channels.”

Charity

Hog roast celebration to mark 60 years of caravan site raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 17, 2024

Richard Lewis

A PEMBROKESHIRE couple who held a hog roast celebration to mark their caravan site’s 60^th anniversary, have donated funds raised on the night to the Wales Air Ambulance.

Anthony and Alys Daye, who own Brandy Brook Caravan and Camping site in Haycastle recently handed over a cheque for £684 to the lifesaving charity.

Alys, who has two sons and two daughters, as well as five grandchildren said: “We live in such a beautiful, secluded part of North Pembrokeshire and appreciate the importance of the air ambulance.

“Thousands of visitors head to our region each year and we are part of a big farming community too. We produce fattened lamb as well as running the camp site.

“Living where we do it is always reassuring to know that the service is there if someone is facing a critical health situation.”

The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.

It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.

62-year-old Alys said: “We wanted to do something special to mark the 60^th anniversary of the caravan site.

“It’s been in the family all that time. My parents opened it, then we supported them as they got older and we took over when they both passed away.”

She continued: “We are totally off grid, with the ethos and fundamental things not changing much since 1962. It’s very back to basics, which is the market we are looking for, for those who want to get away from it all.

“We are at the bottom of a wooded valley, with a brook running through it with trout. Otters have been spotted there too and there is plenty of wildlife in the surrounding woodland.”

Alys says there have been “a number of different incidents nearby”, where “holidaymakers have needed the air ambulance”.

She said: “The service is essential, and that’s why we decided to hold a pig roast, inviting family, friends, and our loyal customers.

“We thought instead of charging people to come along, it would be nice to ask for donations for the air ambulance.

“There was one chap who was so generous, he brought along a mini-motorbike and then decided to auction it off to help raise funds, which was so kind of him.”

The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road and attends around 4,000 patients each year.

Alys said: “We support the charity throughout the year by keeping a collection box on the counter in the shop and we ask people to donate.

“But we would really like to do another event in aid of the air ambulance next year.”

Mike May, Regional Fundraising Manager for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire said: “We are hugely grateful to Alys and Anthony Daye for thinking of us on the 60^th anniversary of their family-run business!

“It’s an honour that our charity was the sole beneficiary of their fundraiser to celebrate their caravan site. I am sure it has brought much joy to thousands of people over the decades.

“We travel the length and breadth of Wales each year helping thousands of people wherever and whenever they need us. Without the kindness of our supporters, like the Dayes we really would not be able to continue to do what we do.”

Health

Protect yourself with a flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine as drop-in sessions start

Published

2 days ago

December 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WITH flu circulating in the community, Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) is encouraging everyone who is eligible to drop-in for their flu and COVID-19 vaccines to help protect themselves this winter.

Flu and COVID-19 viruses can cause serious illness, especially in younger children, clinically vulnerable individuals and older adults that sometimes require hospitalisation.

Vaccination centres will be open, no appointment needed on the 23^rd, 24^th and 27^th December for all people eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccination. This includes children aged 2 (on 31 August 2024) to those in year 11 who can access the nasal flu vaccine at the centres.

Drop in any time between 09.15am and 5.30 pm to your nearest vaccination centre:

Aberaeron (Aberaeron Integrated Care Centre, Vicarage Hill, Aberaeron SA46 0DY)
Llanelli (Unit 2a, Dafen Industrial Estate, Heol Cropin, SA14 8QW)
Neyland (Unit 1 Honeyborough Retail Park, SA73 1SE)

The following groups are eligible for vaccination:

Flu vaccination

Children aged two and three years on 31 August 2024
Children in primary school from reception class to year 6 (inclusive)
Children in secondary school from year 7 to year 11 (inclusive)
People aged six months to 64 years in clinical risk groups
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2024)
Pregnant women
Carers aged 16 and over
People aged 6 months to 65 years who live with someone who has a weakened immune system
People with a learning disability
Frontline health and social care workers
All staff working in care homes with regular client contact
Poultry workers at high risk

COVID-19 vaccination

People aged 6 months to 64 years with a long-term health condition (which includes pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system)
Residents in a care home for older adults
People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2025)
Unpaid carers
Frontline health and social care workers
Staff working in care homes for older adults

If you have any questions about accessing the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine, please phone the health board on 0300 303 8322 option 1 or email [email protected].

If you are unsure if you are eligible for the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine, contact the health board on the details above.