WALK-in booster jabs are being offered at the mass vaccination centre in Aberystwyth.

Staff at the Thomas Parry Library in Llanbadarn are aiming to accommodate anyone who turns up at the centre without a prior appointment, but those with appointments will be given priority.

A sign put up at the library entrance today reads: “Walk-in will be accommodated where possible.

“There could be a wait of upward of two hours. Please be patient. Appointments have priority.”

The official advice from Hywel Dda University Health Board is to wait for an appointment, but with the Welsh Government aiming to offer every adult a booster jab by the end of December, walk-in jabs are being offered.

Giving an update earlier today, Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, said: “Urgent efforts are underway to accelerate our Covid-19 booster vaccination programme even further.

“New evidence has emerged about the effectiveness of our vaccines against omicron. Two doses of the vaccine is not enough to give the level of protection against infection we all need. The booster dose is vital.

“Our vaccinators have already administered more than 1.1 million booster doses. I am immensely grateful to everyone involved for their relentless hard work and dedication.

“We aim to offer all eligible adults a booster appointment by the end of the month. We will vaccinate as many people quickly and safely as possible, continuing to prioritise vaccinations in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) based on age and clinical vulnerability.

“Increasing the roll out of the booster programme to maximise protection will be the number one priority for the NHS over the coming weeks, make it your priority too. Our vaccination teams are working extremely hard to make this happen. Please make every effort to keep your allocated appointment.

“Health boards will be sending letters, texts and making phone calls to contact people for their booster appointments. In the coming weeks walk in sessions will be introduced for certain ages, more details will be available and updated regularly on your local health board’s website and social media.

“Anyone who has not yet had their first or second dose, including children and young people, can contact their health board directly to arrange an appointment or find out about appropriate walk-in sessions. The vaccine is our best means of protection against coronavirus, it is not too late to come forward. Vaccination teams can answer any questions you may have about vaccination and support you to get vaccinated.

“Getting your COVID-19 booster and first or second dose is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against coronavirus and this new variant.”

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is also working to increase its capacity to jab as many people as possible before the end of the year.

In a statement earlier today, Betsi Cadwaladr said: “The logistics of more than tripling our current vaccination rate are extremely challenging, but we are confident that we can make booster injections available to all eligible adults in North Wales by 31 December.

“We work extremely hard behind the scenes to make this happen - but we need time to put all the basics in place.

“Over the next week, hundreds of additional staff and volunteers will join our vaccination effort. This will allow the capacity at our existing vaccination clinics to be increased and open later. Additional clinics will also be introduced (including some drop-ins) and many more practices and community pharmacies will start offering booster injections.”