Wales continues to fall behind in delivery of Covid-19 vaccine

Figures released today (31st December) show that from the 20th December to the 27th December, 12,433 vaccines were given to people resident in Wales. The percentage of the people vaccinated has gone up by 0.31% to see 34,509 people be vaccinated. However, this is still lower than the number of vaccines Wales received at the beginning of December to start the fightback against Covid-19.

Sadly, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which covers North Wales and is the largest health board in Wales, is still lagging behind most of Wales carrying out the second lowest number of total vaccinations.

Commenting on the latest figures on how many people have had the Covid-19 vaccine in Wales, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister, Andrew RT Davies MS, said:

“Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone in our amazing Welsh NHS who is doing an incredible job under tough conditions to get the vaccine to the people who need it most. Sadly, the Welsh Government are letting them down.

“Three weeks ago, the first Covid-19 vaccine was given in Wales, and since that time we have sadly seen confusion and hope drop away. Many people over 80 in Wales were desperate waiting for their appointment to do their bit and have the vaccine but as we quickly learnt they would have to wait longer.

“Sadly, Wales is still lagging behind the rest of the UK with Northern Ireland delivering nearly as many vaccines as Wales, putting Wales at the bottom of the percentage of population league table.

“There are 3 million people in Wales, the Welsh Government needs to step-up and take some leadership in ensuring that the vaccine gets out quicker, with the UK Government aiming for 2 million vaccinations a week, Wales needs to be doing 100,000 vaccines a week. A target we’re a long way off.

“With the Oxford vaccine on its way Wales needs to be prepared and ready to roll out a first-class vaccination programme to ensure we don’t fall behind any further. At the current levels we’ll still be vaccinating in years to come.”