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New Covid vaccine arrives first in West Wales

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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

One in five preventable death reports related to Betsi

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ONE IN FIVE of the preventable death reports issued by coroners across Wales and England last year related to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the Senedd heard.

Darren Millar raised alarm about high numbers of prevention of future death reports, which can be issued after inquests, questioning whether lessons are being learned in north Wales.

The Conservative MS for Clwyd West pointed to the case of Jennifer Trigger, a 71-year-old constituent, who died after suffering an acute stroke in January 2020.

Mr Millar said a coroner issued a Regulation 28 prevention of future death report last week.

He told the Senedd: “Due to a misunderstanding caused by the alert system in the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, the time-critical treatment that she was prescribed was not given until 11 hours after it should have been administered.”

Mr Millar called for a statement from the Welsh Government on what action is being taken by the health board, which has been in and out of special measures for a decade.

He said: “Last year some 21% of all prevention of future death reports issued by coroners across the whole of England and Wales were in respect of Betsi Cadwaladr.

“That is an astonishing statistic.”

Mr Millar added: “Now, clearly, we have to make sure that our NHS learns when issues like this occur and when reports of this nature are published.

“I cannot accept that it is appropriate that 21% of all of those reports which are being issued have been in respect of one single health board.”

During the Senedd’s business statement on March 12, Llŷr Gruffydd echoed calls for an update from the health minister on preventable death reports.

The Plaid Cymru MS, who represents North Wales, said: “They are there, of course, to help prevent future deaths and they clearly require urgent action by health boards.

“But, despite that statutory duty, there are worrying trends in north Wales.”

Mr Gruffydd told the chamber Betsi Cadwaladr accounted for 41% of all preventable death coroner reports in Wales, rising to 50% in 2021-22.

He said: “In the past nine months, Betsi Cadwaladr health board accounts for 80% of all of these preventable death reports in Wales – that’s 21 out of a total of 25.

“Now that to me points to a very serious ongoing problem in the north.”

Lesley Griffiths, who is Trefnydd, the Welsh Government’s business manager, similar to the leader of the house at Westminster, agreed that lessons have to be learned.

Ms Griffiths said she would ask Eluned Morgan, Wales’ health minister, to bring forward a written statement on prevention of future death reports.

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Health

MP visits local optician to discuss enhanced eye care and NHS support

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ON SATURDAY, March 16, local MP Stephen Crabb visited Specsavers on Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, to discuss the optician’s important role in providing enhanced eye care and alleviating the NHS’s burdens. This visit highlighted the considerable contributions of community health services to the broader healthcare system.

Specsavers in Haverfordwest has been serving the community for over 30 years and has become a beacon of development in eye care services, introducing state-of-the-art equipment and fostering professional growth among its staff. The store, which was bustling with activity during Crabb’s visit, also houses a thriving hearing centre, further demonstrating its commitment to comprehensive health and wellness.

The main purpose of the visit was to gain insights into how the optician’s office is addressing the challenges posed by conditions that significantly contribute to the NHS’s workload, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. “Hearing from constituents about their concerns over waiting lists for essential treatments has been distressing. Seeing first-hand how these conditions are managed locally has been incredibly enlightening,” said Crabb.

During his visit, Crabb was particularly impressed by the evolution of Specsavers, not only as a business but as an indispensable part of the local healthcare infrastructure. The optician’s efforts in delivering essential eye care services have earned national recognition, showcasing the impact of their work well beyond the confines of Haverfordwest.

A key highlight of Crabb’s visit was the dedication shown by Andy Britton and his team in meeting vital community needs. “I am grateful to Andy Britton for sharing the impactful work being done here. It’s evident that Specsavers in Haverfordwest is playing a pivotal role not just in eye care, but in supporting our healthcare system at large,” Crabb concluded.

This visit served to not only commend the significant efforts of local opticians like Specsavers in supporting the NHS but also to emphasise the crucial role of community-based health services in tackling prevalent health issues. As the demand for healthcare services continues to escalate, the contribution of establishments like Specsavers in Haverfordwest becomes ever more vital in delivering timely and effective care.

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Health

New strategy for maternity and early years services in west Wales

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PEMBROKESHIRE, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion local authorities along with Hywel Dda University Health Board, in conjunction with third sector partners, have launched the Maternity and Early Years Strategy 2022-26 showing their commitment of putting children at the centre of excellent integrated services.

Launched on St David’s Day, 1 March 2024, the strategy aims to establish integrated maternity and early years services for every child, through close collaboration between local authorities, third sector partners, and health professionals. Integrating services and identifying needs early are at the centre of the approach to improve outcomes and experiences for children and their families.

Delegates to the launch of the Maternity and Early Years Strategy 2022-26 heard from inspirational speakers who presented their cases for transforming maternity and early years services to provide seamless and timely support to families across the region.

University of Oxford’s Dr. Iram Siraj OBE emphasised the significance of early childhood development and the requirement for integrated services; underlying the significance of multi-agency collaboration, stakeholder involvement, and early identification of children who are at-risk. She also talked about the financial difficulties families face in accessing affordable childcare.

With an emphasis on the First 1000 Days programme in Wales, Amy McNaughton, Public Health Consultant for the First 1000 Days Programme, stressed the importance of a public health strategy for assisting parents.

Director of the Centre for Early Child Development, Claire Law, highlighted the value of a place-based approach for improving outcomes for children and their families.

The launch event was also an opportunity to display how families and professionals across the regional had benefitted from a place based integrated model of delivering maternity and early years services.

The guest speakers’ research on early childhood development, poverty’s impact, and inclusive policy development aligns with the Maternity and Early Years Strategy’s priorities. This launch marks the beginning of a very exciting journey for both professionals and families living across the region which will positively impact on the outcomes of our future generations.

Read the Maternity & Early Years Strategy for West Wales for further information.

Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services for Carmarthenshire Council, Cllr Jane Tremlett said: “It is an honour to witness the launch of a strategy that will provide essential support and opportunities to those in need. The conference was filled with remarkable individuals who serve as inspiration for our continued efforts. Together, we are creating a community where every family and child can succeed.”

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