News

Covid-19 vaccine programme update Monday 20 December 2021

Published

4 years ago

December 20, 2021

ANYONE who has received a scheduled appointment for their vaccination is strongly urged to do their best to keep it, whether offered in a Mass Vaccination Centre (MVC), a GP surgery, or local community pharmacy. That is the advice today from the local health board.

However, if you haven’t yet received an appointment, Hywel Dda University Health Board now invites anyone over the age of 35 years, plus those in a higher priority group, to drop-in to a Mass Vaccination Centre (MVC) for their vaccination.

This will help to meet the ambitious aim of offering all eligible adults a booster by 31 December and maximise the number of vaccinations available.

The health board’s focus has been ensuring people continue to be given an appointment in priority order based on age and vulnerability. We will do this in the following ways:

Selected GP practices and community pharmacies
We are working with GP practices, to bring on board any that are able to deliver more booster vaccines locally. This has to be carefully balanced against the practice’s ability to maintain the delivery of core services.

We also have a number of community pharmacies who have committed to participating in the programme and they will locally publicise the times of their clinics for booster delivery.

Please do not call your GP surgery or community pharmacy to ask about the COVID-19 vaccine. If your GP practice is participating in the booster programme they will contact you directly and offer you an appointment, please accept it if they do.

Additional support for housebound and care home residents

Housebound patients will be supported by local GP practices, where their staffing allows, whilst in other areas our community vaccination team will arrange to visit and offer vaccination. If you have already contacted the health board with your details you do not need to contact us again as we are working through the lists with our GP teams.

Care homes are being contacted urgently to ensure all residents are offered a booster and will be supported by GP practices and our community vaccination team. If the care home has already contacted us with these details they do not need to contact us again as we are working through these lists with our GP teams.

Increasing scheduled appointments
Scheduled appointments will continue to be issued at an increased pace. This may be by letter and/or a text message. We are aiming to contact everyone eligible for a booster by Friday 31 December with an offer. Due to the current time of year and challenges with appointments reaching people, we are offering drop-ins phased by age prioritisation.

We understand people have had difficulty in contacting us by phone or email to cancel or rearrange their appointment. In response, the health board has increased the number of call and email handlers. We will continue to support people to attend for a vaccination at a time and day which suits them but in order to ensure we are reaching everyone with their offer by the 31^st December, re-arranged appointments will be made into the first few weeks of January.

We ask people to do everything possible to attend the appointment they are given, this will help the programme greatly, but we hope this extra resource will help should you need it.

Drop In Clinics

If you have been given a scheduled appointment, please keep it.

To ensure we can extend the offer of an invite out at pace and that no one is left behind, booster drop-in clinics are reinstated at six of our mass vaccination centres, strictly for the following groups (*see bottom of update for participating MVCs and opening times):

Everyone aged 35 and over who received their second or third dose at least 13 weeks ago
Anyone aged 16 and over who received their second or third dose at least 13 weeks ago who either a) works in a care home b) is a frontline health or social care worker c) is an unpaid carer d) lives with someone who is immunosuppressed or e) is considered at risk of COVID-19 infection (priority groups 4 and 6)

The groups eligible to drop-in for boosters will be expanded as soon as possible, please look out for announcements on the Hywel Dda UHB website, social media accounts or in local media. Your understanding is appreciated as we try to ensure our older and clinically vulnerable population are prioritised initially.

First doses will be available at all mass vaccination centres except Cwm Cou for drop-ins for:

anyone aged 12 and over (over 16s only at drive-through at the Showground).

Second doses will be available at all mass vaccination centres except Cwm Cou for drop-ins for:

Anyone aged 16 and over if it has been at least 8 weeks since their first dose.
Those aged 12 to 15 are asked to wait for an appointment or drop-in if it has been more than 12 weeks since the first dose was received (over 16s only at drive-through at the Showground).

People who choose to drop-in are advised that booked appointments will be given priority and they should be prepared to potentially experience long waits, possibly outdoors, or be turned away if there are health and safety concerns at the centre. Verbal abuse or aggression towards any centre staff or volunteers will not be tolerated.

Those with booked appointments are asked to arrive no more than 10 minutes before their appointment time and make themselves known on arrival to a volunteer or member of staff.

Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell or if you have had a COVID-19 positive test in the last 28 days. Under 18s are currently advised to wait 12 weeks from a COVID-19 positive test before having any COVID-19 dose.

*Drop-in opening times for all first and second doses, and those in priority groups 1 to 9 for boosters

Most participating mass vaccination centres will make every effort to accommodate eligible drop-ins between 11am and 8pm. Tenby MVC will accept drop-ins between 10am and 6pm on the set days it is open. Drop-ins at the drive-through showground in Carmarthenshire will be between 11am and 8pm. Please note Cwm Cou MVC, is doing scheduled appointments only due to social distancing and traffic management safety issues. Please do not arrive early for drop-in sessions.

The MVCs open seven days a week for drop-ins for eligible groups are:

Aberystwyth – Thomas Parry Library, Llanbadarn Campus, Aberystwyth University, SY23 3AS (closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January. Open until 4pm on Monday 27 December)
Carmarthen (walk-in) – Y Gamfa Wen, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, SA31 3EP (closed 24, 25, 26 December, closing 31 December at 2.30pm and closed 1 January)
Carmarthen (drive through – over 16s only) – United Counties Showground, SA33 5DR (closed 24, 25, 26, 27, 31 December and 1 January)
Haverfordwest – Pembrokeshire Archives, Prendergast, SA61 2PE (closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January. Closes 2.30pm on 27, 30 and 31 December)
Llanelli – Unit 2a, Dafen Industrial Estate, Heol Cropin, SA14 8QW (closes at 5pm on 18 December and at 4.30pm on Monday 27 and Thursday 30 December. Closed 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 January)

Tenby MVC (Tenby Leisure Centre, Marsh Road, SA70 8EJ) will be open for drop-ins between 10am and 6pm on the following days in December:

Friday 17 to Sunday 19 December; Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 December; and on Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 December.
Closed on the weekends of 24 to 26 December and 31 December to 2 January.

Cwm Cou MVC (Ysgol Trewen, Cwm-Cou, SA38 9PE) is offering scheduled appointments only, due to social distancing and traffic management safety issues.

For people living in areas where they are not near a drop-in or if they can’t drop-in for health and mobility reasons, we ask them to contact Covid Enquiries by calling 0300 303 8322 or emailing [email protected].

Please visit https://hduhb.nhs.wales/covid19-vaccination to keep up-to-date with this ambitious acceleration of the COVID-19 booster campaign in Hywel Dda.

international news

Data watchdog probes Musk’s AI firms over deepfake fears

Published

22 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Investigation launched into Grok chatbot after reports of explicit images created using people’s likeness without consent

THE UK’s data protection regulator has opened formal investigations into X and artificial intelligence company xAI amid growing concerns that their chatbot Grok may have been used to create sexualised “deepfake” images without people’s knowledge.

The action has been taken by the Information Commissioner’s Office, which enforces Britain’s data protection laws, following complaints that the AI tool could generate intimate or explicit images using real individuals’ faces or personal data.

Such images, often referred to as deepfakes, are digitally altered or AI-generated pictures that make it appear someone has posed for photographs or videos they never took.

Regulators fear the technology could be exploited for harassment, blackmail or abuse.

The probe follows a separate investigation by Ofcom, which began examining the platform earlier this year over wider online safety concerns.

Mounting pressure

Both investigations come amid mounting scrutiny of services linked to tech billionaire Elon Musk, whose companies have rapidly expanded the use of generative AI tools capable of producing realistic text and images in seconds.

While such tools are marketed for creative and commercial use, campaigners say safeguards have not kept pace with the risks.

Privacy experts warn that if AI systems are trained on, or can access, personal images or data without clear consent, they may breach UK data protection law.

The ICO said it is now examining how Grok was built, what data may have been used in its development, and whether sufficient protections were put in place to stop misuse.

William Malcolm, the watchdog’s executive director for regulatory risk and innovation, said reports surrounding the chatbot were “deeply troubling”.

He said losing control of personal information in this way could cause “immediate and significant harm”, particularly where children or vulnerable people are targeted.

Safeguards questioned

Investigators will look at whether the companies properly assessed risks, limited the use of personal data and introduced effective barriers to prevent the creation of explicit or abusive content.

Under UK law, organisations found to have mishandled personal data can face enforcement action, including large fines or orders to change how their systems operate.

The ICO confirmed it is working closely with Ofcom and overseas regulators as concerns about AI-generated content increasingly cross international borders.

In response to criticism, X has said it has introduced additional moderation tools and technical measures aimed at preventing the creation of harmful or non-consensual images.

However, regulators say they will continue to examine whether those steps go far enough.

The ICO said it would take action if it finds that legal obligations have not been met.

Crime

Man caught in hotel sting after trying to meet girl, 13

Published

1 hour ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Laugharne defendant confronted by paedophile hunters at St Clears Travelodge before suspended jail term at Swansea Crown Court

A LAUGHARNE man who turned up at a Carmarthenshire hotel believing he was meeting a thirteen-year-old girl instead found himself confronted by paedophile hunters and later sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.

William John Williams, fifty-nine, had been communicating online with what he thought was a schoolgirl. The profile was in fact a decoy set up by a vigilante group.

When he arrived at the Travelodge St Clears for a pre-arranged meeting, members of the group were waiting and contacted police, handing over screenshots of his messages.

Prosecutor Matt Murphy told the court that Williams first made contact with the fake Facebook profile in October 2021. The supposed age of thirteen was made clear from the outset.

Despite this, the defendant sent repeated sexual messages, spoke about masturbating, requested photographs and told the “girl” on several occasions that his penis was erect. He also sent topless photographs of himself.

The court heard Williams urged the account holder to delete the messages, acknowledging he knew he should not be sending them because of her age.

Second fake profile

Members of the group later created another false account, posing as a businesswoman from Swansea, and arranged a date with Williams at the hotel in St Clears. They then liaised with another group to attend the rendezvous.

When Williams arrived, he was challenged and police were called.

During interview he answered “no comment”. In a later interview in February 2023, he claimed he did not believe the child was real and said he thought he was exposing scammers.

The court rejected that explanation.

Williams, of Orchard Park, Laugharne, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He had no previous convictions.

Defence barrister Ian Ibrahim said more than four years had passed since the offending and highlighted delays of more than two years between arrest and court proceedings. He said the defendant, formerly employed in hospitality and construction, was now in poor health and had lost his good character.

Internet ‘unsafe for children’

Sentencing, Judge Catherine Richards told Williams it was the actions of “grown men like you” that made the internet feel unsafe for children and caused parents and carers real concern.

After credit for his guilty plea, Williams was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, and ordered to complete a rehabilitation programme.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.

News

Princess of Wales visits historic Pembrokeshire woollen mill

Published

1 hour ago

February 3, 2026

Luke Sinclair

Catherine the Princess of Wales visited Melin Tregwynt, a historic family-owned woollen mill, today, highlighting the enduring traditions and skills of the British textile industry.

Nestled in a secluded, wooded valley near Castlemorris, close to Haverfordwest, Melin Tregwynt has been in continuous operation since at least 1841. The mill, which employs over 40 local people, produces blankets, throws, scarves, cushions and clothing, blending traditional patterns with vibrant colours and contemporary design. Its products are admired globally, from Tenby to Tokyo.

During her visit, the Princess met Melin Tregwynt’s director, Louise Clarke, to learn how the mill preserves traditional craft skills. The company draws on generations of expertise among its staff to mentor young apprentices, ensuring the survival of this historic craft.

Her Royal Highness also spent time with weavers at the loom, observing the intricate process of Welsh double cloth weaving for which Melin Tregwynt is renowned. This traditional technique produces thick, reversible blankets with inverted patterns on each side. The Princess followed the journey of a blanket from initial design to the finished product, seeing the weaving loom in action and meeting the teams responsible for cutting, sewing and finishing the textiles.

The Princess, a long-standing advocate of the British textile industry, has personal connections to the trade: her paternal ancestors were owners of the Leeds-based woollen manufacturer and merchant William Lupton & Co. This visit continues a series of engagements celebrating British textiles, including a tartan-weaving studio in Stirling, Scotland, in January, and visits in 2025 to manufacturers in Carmarthenshire, Suffolk, Kent, and County Tyrone.

After her visit to Melin Tregwynt, the princess went on to visit Huit Denim in Cardigan.