Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board Reduces Covid-19 Vaccine Interval Amid Delta Variant Concerns

Strategic Insights -

The Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in Wales has decided to bring forward the second dose interval for the Pfizer vaccine to eight weeks due to the threat posed by the Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus. This change aims to provide stronger protection against the virus, particularly in areas with high infection rates. The health board's decision comes as Wales has made significant progress in administering the Covid-19 vaccine, with over 88% of adults having received their first dose and more than 59% fully vaccinated.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has reduced the second dose interval for the Pfizer vaccine to eight weeks, from the previously scheduled 11-12 weeks.
  • This change is in response to the threat posed by the Delta variant, which has been identified in several areas within the health board's coverage.
  • Denbighshire has the highest infection rate within the health board area, with 82.6 new cases per 100,000 population.
  • Conwy and Flintshire also have high infection rates, with 81.9 and 47.4 new cases per 100,000 population, respectively.
  • Currently, 2,236,091 people in Wales have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 1,509,144 have been fully vaccinated.
  • Wales has the highest percentage of fully vaccinated adults in the UK, with 59.82% of the population having received both doses.
  • England has also made significant progress, with over 1 million Covid-19 vaccine appointments booked in just two days, averaging over 21,000 bookings per hour.

Statistics:

  • 2,236,091 people in Wales have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine (as of the last reported date).
  • 59.82% of the Welsh population has been fully vaccinated (second dose) (as of the last reported date).
  • Denbighshire has the highest infection rate, with 82.6 new cases per 100,000 population (Sunday, June 20).
  • Conwy has the second-highest infection rate, with 81.9 new cases per 100,000 population (Sunday, June 20).
  • The NHS has administered over 62 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine since the start of the vaccination program.

Sources:

  • Public Health Wales
  • BBC News
  • PA Health
  • NHS England
  • Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board