A North Wales doctor is urging people to come forward for a booster jab ahead of the predicted tidal wave of Omicron cases in January.
Dr Nick Lyons, executive medical director of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said people should not wait until after Christmas.
“Over the last week we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of Covid-19 vaccines given out across North Wales,” he said.
“Last week we administered a record 66,000 jabs including 24,000 over the weekend alone.
“In the next few days our vaccination programme will ramp up even further as we aim to administer around 18,000 COVID-19 vaccines every day. Getting booster jabs into the arms of all eligible adults over the next 10 days is critical to protect each other and NHS services from the tidal wave of Omicron cases coming our way in January.
“I urge people to book online or attend one of our designated drop in clinics as soon as they can this week – don’t leave it until after Christmas – we have staff ready to vaccinate you. Getting your booster is the best Christmas present you can give yourself. The sooner you come forward, the sooner you will build your immunity. We will have significantly reduced capacity to deliver jabs during January – so it’s vital that you come forward as soon as possible.
“We’ve reluctantly taken the very difficult decision to postpone non-urgent operations, procedures and outpatient appointments and pause non-essential services to allow staff to be released to support the vaccination campaign. Many of our staff have voluntarily given up planned time off with their families over the festive period to ensure that we can meet this huge challenge.
“We are pulling out all the stops to make booster jabs available. Please make getting your booster a priority and come forward as soon as you possibly can.
“Tens of thousands more appointments will be released on our online booking service in the coming days, as more of our hard working staff join the vaccination programme. Please keep checking our online booking service as new appointments are being released in batches.
“It is critical that if you have a booked appointment in December you keep to it. Don’t contact us to rearrange as this slows down our efforts to protect others. You will be waiting until January for an alternative.”
He added: “Booking online guarantees you will receive your jab and reduces the time you have to queue. If you turn up at a clinic which isn’t a designated drop in and you haven’t booked an appointment online, you will face a lengthy queue and may be turned away. We will only be able to offer you a jab if we are running ahead of schedule and have sufficient vaccine supply and staffing.
“Those who book ahead using our online booking service will always be prioritised in queues.”
Pregnant women are also encouraged to come forward for their Covid-19 vaccine.
The number of pregnant women coming forward for their vaccine has been lower than the health board would like.
Book an appointment in North Wales at bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations/covid-19-booster-programme-online-booking/