News

Nearly 10,000 people ‘incorrectly offered’ the spring booster vaccination in Wales

Published

2 years ago

May 21, 2022

NEARLY 10,000 people were “incorrectly identified” as eligible for spring booster vaccination in Wales, Health Minister Eluned Morgan has said.

It means that Wales has offered a vaccine to more people than the vaccines watchdog, the JCVI, initially recommended.

Eluned Morgan said that the Welsh Government would go ahead with vaccinating those who had been offered the spring booster incorrectly, despite the error.

She added that all the individuals affected are aware of the situation and we will apologise for the error. Some may have ben offered the vaccine anyway as they were in other vulnerable groups, she said.

“During the course of the spring booster campaign, a group of people have been identified incorrectly as being eligible for an additional vaccination,” Eluned Morgan said.

“This means that more people than the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) initially intended to be eligible for the booster have either received, been invited or are due to receive an invite for vaccination.

“On 16 May, health boards identified a potential discrepancy between the eligibility criteria determined by the JCVI and those presenting for vaccination. My officials became aware of this on 17 May and we have worked with the NHS Delivery Unit, health boards, Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) and Public Health Wales to investigate the issue further.”

Eluned Morgan added that the reason for the confusion was because the eligibility criteria for the immunosuppressed group are broader for the spring booster campaign than in previous campaigns.

“To ensure all individuals meeting the broader criteria are offered a spring booster it has been necessary to create a new cohort within the Welsh Immunisation System (WIS) – this is the system used by the NHS to manage and record the vaccinations offered and administered to these individuals,” she said.

“Our investigation has concluded that in creating the new broader immunosuppressed cohort in WIS, approximately 9,500 people have been incorrectly included as being eligible for a spring booster. All those who have been incorrectly identified have been included in the clinically extremely vulnerable group of people who are eligible for antiviral and antibody treatment if they get Covid-19.

“This error can be attributed to differences in the criteria for vaccination and treatment. It is important to note that all these individuals are at high-risk of developing severe illness if they get Covid-19 and some will already have been eligible for a spring booster because they meet other eligibility criteria, for example they may be over 75 or resident in a care home for older people.

“Having carefully considered the options available and the clinical and ethical advice I have received, I have decided to honour the offer of an additional vaccination to all those who have been incorrectly identified as eligible for a spring booster vaccination.

“In doing so I want to be clear that this does not represent a decision to extend our programme beyond the eligibility criteria advised by the JCVI.”

Eluned Morgan added that they had sufficient supply of vaccine in Wales to provide additional appointments and booster vaccines and did not expect this decision to have any impact on eligibility for vaccination in the autumn.

“The group of individuals affected are among those at higher risk of severe illness if they get Covid-19 and are therefore likely to benefit from a booster vaccination,” she said.

“Of course, like any treatment, vaccination can carry a small risk of adverse events, however side effects are usually mild and self-limiting.

“In deciding to honour the offer, I have carefully considered the benefits and risks and the potential confusion and anxiety which would be caused by withdrawing the offer at this stage.

“Taking up an offer of vaccination is a choice, and those people in this group who have not yet been vaccinated will have a choice about whether to accept or decline the vaccine, supported by advice from clinicians in our vaccination centres.

“We will make sure all individuals affected are aware of the situation and we will apologise for the error. They will be assured about the benefits of receiving an additional vaccination if they have already received it and additional advice, to support their decision making, if they have not yet received it.

“A lessons learned exercise has also been started to ensure any learning from this incident can be fed back into the planning and management of future phases of, what continues to be, our excellent vaccination programme.”

Community

First deadlines met following enforcement action at landfill site

Published

21 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE first set of deadlines for the completion of actions to tackle the ongoing odour issues at Withyhedge Landfill in Pembrokeshire have been met, one week on following the issuing of further enforcement action by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

NRW issued site operator Resources Management UK Ltd (RML) with a further Regulation 36 Enforcement Notice on Thursday 18 April.

This outlined a series of actions to be completed by specified deadlines to address the ongoing odour and landfill gas emission issues at the site.

During the latest site inspection which took place yesterday (Thursday 25 April), NRW was able to confirm that three actions have been completed – two ahead of the imposed deadlines.

The operator has installed 24 pin wells, which have been driven into the waste in the lower section of the cell identified as causing the odour issues (Cell 8). These have also been connected to the landfill gas extraction system.

Capping material has been placed over the same area of the cell and welded to the basal liner to encapsulate gas in this area, allowing for extraction by the pin wells and four horizontal gas wells, which were previously installed.

While progress is being made, NRW officers detected strong landfill gas odours during an offsite assessment on Wednesday (24 April) in Poyston Cross and Crundale. Weather conditions this week appear to have led to a wider spread of landfill gas to surrounding areas, not solely linked to wind direction.

NRW odour assessments follow a set route around the landfill, with designated survey spots, identified to enable consistency of assessment and reporting. This is essential to ensure the regulatory and enforcement responses where there is offsite odour attributed to the landfill is robust.

The remaining Regulation 36 Notice actions will require significant effort by RML to ensure they are completed on time and NRW continues to closely monitor progress.

Clare Pillman, Chief Executive of NRW, met with representatives from NRW’s South West Industry Regulation Team and Pembrokeshire County Council during a visit to Pembrokeshire on Thursday 25 April.

Clare Pillman, Chief Executive, Natural Resources Wales, said: “While visiting the area surrounding Withyhedge Landfill with our regulatory team and partners from Pembrokeshire County Council this week, I was able to see and hear for myself just what people living and working in these communities have had to endure as a result of the odour issues from the site.

“What they have been experiencing is unacceptable and our officers have been working tirelessly alongside colleagues at Pembrokeshire County Council to ensure the operator gets this under control as quickly as possible. While it was clear that a lot of work has been done on site, there is still more to do to ensure they address all the actions set out in the enforcement notice.

“We want to make sure that happens, and are exploring every option together with Pembrokeshire County Council to ensure the operator works quickly to resolve the issues which are clearly affecting the quality of life of people in these communities.”

Huwel Manley, Head of South West Operations, said: “While we are reassured that action is being carried out by the operators at Withyhedge Landfill with a sense of urgency, we are continuing our regulatory presence on site to ensure the operator’s focus remains on tackling the issues that will address the continuing odour issues being experienced by surrounding communities.

“We will be closely monitoring progress over the coming days and weeks to ensure the operator complies with all the actions set out in Notice by 14 May. If they are not met, we will pursue additional enforcement action where appropriate.”

NRW requests that instances of odour from the landfill continue to be reported via this dedicated form: https://bit.ly/reportasmellwithyhedge or by calling 0300 065 3000.

Please report odours at the time of them being experienced, rather than historically. Reporting odours in a timely manner will help guide the work of partners more effectively, particularly in the further development of air quality monitoring.

These photos taken on 16 April and 25 April show the progress of capping works on cell 8. Pin wells are visible in both images. These have been connected to the landfill gas extraction system and are extracting gas from the waste mass.

Community

Milford Haven’s war memorial is 100 years old today

Published

40 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Milford Haven War Memorial, a significant landmark commemorating the fallen heroes of World Wars and subsequent conflicts, marks its 100th anniversary today.

The memorial, which was inaugurated on April 26, 1924 by the Venerable the Archdeacon of St Davids, remains a poignant symbol of sacrifice and hope for peace.

Constructed from 1923 to 1924, the memorial consists of a striking assembly of pink granite and white marble statues that were sculpted in Italy.

Representing the Army, Navy, and Air Force, these life-size statues stand on an unpolished three-step plinth below a main pedestal. A soldier faces west and a sailor east, with an airman atop the central column, surveying the skies.

The names and inscriptions of the fallen are carved into the polished granite shaft, meticulously supervised by surveyor J.P. Morgan with contractor E. Jones of Llanybydder.

Located on Hamolton Terrace with views over the Milford Haven waterway, the memorial is a freestanding structure in an external, roadside setting. It features a serviceman/woman sculpture in marble and Portland stone, set on a concrete base surrounded by railings. Inscribed plaques honour those who served in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and the conflict in Iraq from 2003 to 2009.

The memorial lists the names of 239 men who perished in the First World War on its polished grey granite faces. The Second World War claimed 157 lives from this community, whose names are recorded on bronze plaques around the base. Notably, the memorial also honours one serviceman who fell during the Korean War and another who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

The Milford Haven War Memorial stands not only as a historical monument but also as an enduring reminder of the costs of war and the community’s ongoing commitment to peace.

As the town reflects on a century of remembrance, the hope remains that future generations will continue to cherish and learn from the lessons of the past.

Business

Welsh producers to showcase at UK’s leading food and drink show

Published

1 hour ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WALES’ finest food and drink companies are gearing up to showcase their innovative spirit and exceptional quality produce at a pivotal show in the UK food and drink calendar.

The group includes 44 Welsh food and drink companies who will be attending the Farm Shop & Deli Show 2024 being held at the NEC in Birmingham between 29 April – 1 May. This event will serve as a prime opportunity for both established companies and emerging stars from Wales to exhibit their products to a national audience.

Supported by the Welsh Government, 13 of Wales’ well-known food and drink companies will be exhibiting on the Welsh Government Pavilion at the show. A further 20 Welsh up and coming and emerging stars will be exhibiting as part of the Cywain Showcase stand, while another 11 Welsh companies will be exhibiting for 1 day during the show on the Cywain Test Trading stand, these companies will change each day.

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, said, “The Farm Shop & Deli Show provides unparalleled opportunities for Welsh companies to showcase the exceptional quality and innovation of their products. These events are crucial for promoting Welsh products and reinforcing Wales’ reputation for quality and innovation in food and drink.

“The Welsh Government is dedicated to supporting our producers, ensuring they have the platforms needed to succeed and contribute to Wales’ reputation as a place of outstanding natural produce. We are committed to helping them thrive in these important markets and continue to build on Wales’ esteemed reputation.”

Welsh producers exhibiting as part of the Welsh Government Pavilion includes Calon Wen Organic Dairy, Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuits Ltd, Crwst Ltd, Golden Hooves, Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co, Mario’s Ice Cream, Morning Foods, Rural Foodies Ltd/Coco Pzazz, Snowdonia Cheese Company Ltd, The Anglesey Sea Salt Company/Halen Môn, Tregroes Waffles, Welsh Hills Bakery and Welsh Lady Preserves.

The 31 Welsh companies making up the showcase under the support of Cywain, a Welsh Government funded project that works with food and drink producers across Wales, helping them grow and develop their businesses, will feature products from alcohol, coffee, tea, chocolate, cheeses, rapeseed oil to preserves, sauces and spices.

Commenting on being part of the Welsh Government delegation, owner Alison Lea-Wilson from Anglesey sea salt company Halen Môn said, “We’ve attended Food & Drink Expo several times and always find it an interesting mix of people giving us a chance to stay updated on the food and drink industry. We’re looking forward to catching up with our current customers at the Farm Shop & Deli Show this year and are excited about the possibility of meeting new ones, particularly ingredient suppliers.

“It’s also our first time here as a B Corp business, which is a big step for us, and we’re launching our new Beetroot ketchup, adding a vibrant touch to our product line.”

Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuits Ltd is set to feature their new Gluten Free range at the Farm Shop & Deli Show, with products ready to order alongside their traditional offerings. The company is also proud finalists for the Artisan Food and Drink Business of the Year at the Wales Food and Drink Awards 2024.

Reflecting on a year of innovation and growth, Allie Thomas from Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuits said, “2023 was a pivotal year for Cradoc’s. We embarked on a journey of transformation, starting with a significant update to our packaging, which is our main sales tool and we invest as much as possible in protecting the authenticity of the Cradoc’s brand. Working with Zero2Five Food Industry Centre led to enhancements that resonate with our customers, emphasizing our Net Zero Carbon Manufacturing status and sustainability efforts.

“We have recently got the go ahead for our new gluten free bakery, which is testament to our commitment to inclusivity and innovation. We’re looking forward to seeing what visitors to these shows think of our new three gluten free flavoured crackers: Rosemary and Garlic, Chilli Ginger and Cumin and Cheddar Cheese and Chives.”

After a successful rebranding launch and a Farm Shop & Deli Gold Award win for their Traditional Mead at last year’s Farm Shop & Deli Show, Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co are set to showcase their modern mead to a wider audience at this year’s show.

“Our presence at the Farm Shop & Deli Show is testament to our growth and the significant demand for our products over the last 5 years, but in particular within the last 12 months which has seen us stocked in Selfridges and in 3 Michelin Restaurants” says Kit Newell, Co-founder of Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co.

“Our rebranding to Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co in 2023 was a milestone of our progress and our commitment to modernising mead. This year, we’re not just expecting to showcase our products to those unfamiliar with contemporary mead; we’re here to forge lasting connections with larger retailers and regional distributors, and to reaffirm our relationships with those who have supported us from the start. The Farm Shop & Deli Show is more than an event for us—it’s a platform to test the pulse of the market, to ensure our products resonate with current trends through direct consumer feedback.”

“Our achievements, such as winning the Golden Fork Award for Wales, are symbols of our dedication to quality and taste. Alongside our flagship wine-style meads and modern sparkling varieties we will have our special edition meads that celebrate and support bee charities such as Bees For Development, made using honey from forests in Zambia. Our Spiced Honey Rum, launched in February, is the newest addition to our family of products, and we’re excited to see it take its place in the spotlight.”

Also, within The Restaurant Show, there will be a Geographical Indication (GI presentation) and tasting taking place on the Restaurant Stage between 15:30 – 16:15 on Monday 29 April.

Farm Shop & Deli Show is packed with new launches, fresh industry insights and trend-setting food and drink to help you get face-to-face with the people driving the market forward in 2024.

Whether you’re an independent farm shop, delicatessen, or artisan food outlet, you can help grow your business along with your passion at Farm Shop & Deli Show. At the show you’ll find all the big ideas to help you discover fresh thinking and practical tips and techniques to increase your profits with our exciting line up of live events and sessions. The show will also reveal the winners of the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards 2024.

Farm Shop & Deli Show will run alongside Food & Drink Expo, National Convenience Show, The Forecourt Show and The Restaurant Show in 2024 as part of the UK Food & Drink Shows, bringing together the grocery, specialist retail, wholesale, foodservice and hospitality sectors under one roof. With over 1200 exhibitors and 25000+ visitors to five shows over 3 days, the event is a must-visit for anyone in the food and drink industry.

Other Welsh companies participating independently at the other shows include Cygnet Distillery, Dewkes Ltd, Gasm Drinks, Heartsease Farm, Meadowvale Foods, Peter’s Food Ltd, Brain Blasterz and Celtic Frozen Drinks.

Come and visit the Welsh food and drink companies at the Farm Shop & Deli Show from the 29 April – 1 May:

Welsh Government Pavilion | Hall 20 | Stands S160 & S170
Cywain Showcase Stand | Hall 20 | Stands S180, S190, S200
Cywain Test Trading Stand | Hall 20 | Stands S200

For more information on how the Welsh Government can assist your business with reaching new markets through trade event visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/growing-your-business/trade-events