Fourth Covid jab rolled out this week

Glamorgan Star news 16/03/2022

1 minute read

Most five to 11-year-old children will be offered two doses of the vaccine, 12 weeks apart.

Fourth Covid jab rolled out this week

The latest phase of the Covid vaccination programme will see the over-75s, older care home residents and individuals aged 12-years and over who are immunosuppressed being invited for their boosters from this week.

A spokesperson from the Welsh Government said: “Health boards across Wales have been planning for the latest stage of the vaccination programme for a number of months.

“All those eligible for spring boosters are being encouraged to wait for their invitations from their health board or GP.

“It comes after Health Minister Eluned Morgan accepted the JCVI* advice to give another boost to people who are at higher risk of severe Covid-19.”

*UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises health departments on immunisation.

The spring dose is advised around six months after the last vaccine dose to maintain high levels of immunity for those deemed the most vulnerable.

With consent from parents or guardians, health boards will also be offering children aged five to 11 their first vaccination appointments. This is a precautionary offer to increase their immunity against severe Covid-19 in advance of a potential future wave and to minimise disruption to their education.

Most five to 11-year-old children will be offered two doses of the vaccine, 12 weeks apart.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “It is important we maintain high levels of protection from Covid-19 and everyone who is offered a spring booster vaccination takes up the invitation. “We are following the latest advice from the JCVI and would everyone who is eligible to wait for the offer of their spring booster.”