Free Flu Vaccination Available for Over 50s in Wales

As of this week, people aged 50 and over in Wales will be eligible for a free flu vaccination. The Welsh Government has made an additional 460,000 vaccines available, which are being distributed to GP practices and community pharmacies across the country. However, the Hywel Dda University Health Board is urging people to be patient and wait to be contacted regarding appointments. The board's directors have clarified that the vaccine will not be available from all GP practices or community pharmacies at first, and an update will be provided as soon as possible.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 460,000 extra flu vaccines are available in Wales this year, on top of the usual allocation.
• Everyone aged 50 and over will be offered a free flu vaccination, with GP practices and community pharmacies providing the vaccines.
• The Hywel Dda University Health Board is urging people to wait to be contacted regarding appointments and not to contact their GP or community pharmacy yet.
• People aged 50-64 with a long-term health condition who have already received an invitation to receive a flu vaccine can proceed to book their appointment as requested by their GP practice.
• Over 750,000 vulnerable people, NHS staff, and schoolchildren have taken up the offer of a free flu vaccine by mid-November.
• 70% of those aged over 65 have been vaccinated, levels substantially higher than during the same period last year.
• Jill Paterson and Ros Jervis, directors at Hywel Dda University Health Board, have advised people to be patient and wait for further instructions on accessing the vaccine.

Statistics:

• 460,000 extra flu vaccines are available in Wales this year.
• 750,000 vulnerable people, NHS staff, and schoolchildren have taken up the offer of a free flu vaccine by mid-November.
• 70% of those aged over 65 have been vaccinated by mid-November.
• 460,000 additional vaccines are being distributed to GP practices and community pharmacies across Wales.

Sources:

• Hywel Dda University Health Board
• Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, Community and Long Term Care
• Ros Jervis, Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda UHB
• Welsh Government
• "Health" section of the NHS Wales website