BETSI Cadwaladr University Health Board is preparing to deliver its Autumn booster and flu vaccines amid concern about the new Covid-19 variants.

BCUHB is finalising plans to deliver Covid-19 Autumn boosters and flu vaccines to more than 300,000 eligible people in North Wales.

The first vaccines are set to be offered to the most vulnerable from September 11. The health board will be supported by partners in primary care and community pharmacies.

A spokesperson for BCUHB said: "We are concerned at reports of new Covid-19 variants, and an increase in admissions to hospitals in Wales as a result of Covid-19 infections in recent weeks. This suggests a wider increase of transmission of the virus in the community. We are also concerned about reports of a severe flu season in Australia, which is often seen as an indicator of how the virus could affect the UK during the winter.

"The health board urges everyone eligible for free Covid-19 Autumn booster and flu vaccines to get protected this winter. Your best protection against the viruses is to take up your invitation to receive the Covid-19 Autumn booster and flu vaccines."

Full details of eligible groups for the free booster and flu vaccine, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and Chief Medical Officer for Wales, are available on the BCUHB website.

People may be offered the booster and flu vaccinations at the same time.

In most cases, for practical delivery reasons, people will be invited to receive the vaccines at two separate appointments.

COVID-19

From September 11, BCUHB's Covid-19 vaccination teams will prioritise people living in care homes, followed by people who are housebound. They will then move onto other eligible groups, beginning with those at highest clinical risk. To help protect the front line staff who deliver essential health and care services, BCUHB will also begin vaccinating a number of NHS and social care staff early in the vaccination programme.

BCUHB will contact everyone eligible for an Autumn booster vaccination with an appointment. Appointments will take place at a community vaccination centre or GP surgery. Full details, including date, time and location of appointment will be detailed in letters sent to patients.

The spokesperson from BCUHB added: "Please wait to receive an invitation for your vaccination appointment. There is no need to contact us.

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"Our Covid-19 Autumn booster programme will once again see very large numbers of appointments being delivered every day, so please keep the appointment offered where possible. Anyone who has received an invitation and has any concerns, queries or needs to change the date or time can do so via our Covid-19 Vaccination Contact Centre on 03000 840 004."

Telephone lines are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and 9am-2pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Flu

Those eligible for a free flu vaccine will usually be contacted by their GP surgery. People may be invited by letter, text message, phone call, or face to face when at the surgery for another appointment.

Surgeries may also use social media or other messaging platforms to advertise flu vaccination clinics. GP surgeries usually invite the most vulnerable patients to get their flu vaccine first.

The spokesperson said: "Some patients may be invited to attend a local community vaccination centre for their flu vaccination. These patients will be contacted directly with details of their appointment including date, time and location.

"More than 100 community pharmacies in North Wales also offer free flu vaccines to eligible groups. Contact your local community pharmacy to find out about how to get your flu vaccine, or see the notices displayed in store. You may need to make an appointment.

"Alternatively, your employer may have made arrangements for you to receive your flu vaccine at work."