Information on arrangements
Latest WCBC Briefing - 19th January 2022
COVID Boosters
To date, we have given a booster to 78 per cent of eligible adults, which means that we are slightly ahead of the Welsh average. Despite this success, there are still some 100,000 people eligible for a booster that have not yet come to us. We urge these people to remember that two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine do not offer strong protection against symptomatic infection due to the Omicron variant. A booster will help you build antibodies – offering up to 70% protection.
Everyone who is eligible for a first, second or booster dose will be sent a text message to encourage them to go to any of the drop-in clinics as soon as possible. Those who come to us over the coming days will see the least queuing – so they could be vaccinated in just a matter of five minutes. We know that many people are unable to receive their vaccine as they currently have COVID-19 or have tested positive within the last 28 days. We encourage these people to go to our drop-in clinics as soon as their 28 day period following a positive test result has ended.
The period between second dose admissions reduced for 12 to 17-year-olds
We have reduced the minimum duration of second dose intake for those aged 12-to-17 years from 12 to 8 weeks, in light of the high incidence of Omicron in our communities. This is consistent with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and (JCVI) and this has been agreed at a national level.
If you are aged between 12 and 17 and eight weeks have elapsed since you received your first dose of the COVID vaccine, do not wait for an invitation to an appointment for your second dose. Visit our webpage for details of drop-in clinics offering vaccinations to this age group and come to us as soon as you are eligible to do so.
Vaccinating children between the ages of 5 and 11 in clinical risk groups or who have household contact with someone with a weakened immune system
On 22 December 2021 JCVI recommended offering two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 5-11 in clinical risk groups, and those who have contact in the household with someone with a weakened immune system. We expect to start offering vaccinations to this small group of children from 22 January, once more information has been received about the dose required.
An indoor testing unit at Plas Madoc will provide PCR testing from Monday January 17 – available to any local residents with symptoms
An indoor testing unit will be set up at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre to make it easier for local people to get tested for COVID-19. The testing facility will offer PCR testing for pre-order between 17 January and 30 January in the sports hall between 9:30am and 4:30pm. You must book your test online in advance (please do not call the leisure centre).
When you arrive, use the entrance to the sports hall (do not use the main entrance / reception area). Remember…if you test positive and self-isolate, you will help prevent the spread of the virus. The work in the testing unit is co-ordinated by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham Council, the UK Health Safety Agency and Splash Community Trust.
For more information on Coronavirus:
