A health board wants almost 20,000 people to accept two Covid jabs to “help us eventually return to normal life”.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health board wants an extra 10,173 people aged between 30 and 39 and an additional 8,609 aged 18-29 to come forward to be vaccinated.

In its latest update the board said almost half a million North Wales residents have had a first dose of one of the Covid-19 jabs, and 338,018 have been fully vaccinated.

The aim is to get at least 75 per cent of each category inoculated, with take-up of at least 80 per cent in all age groups above the age of 40.

However in the 30-39 age group on 62 per cent have received a jab and 71 per cent of those aged 18-29 have been vaccinated.

The health board said: “We want take up to be as high as possible, but are aiming for at least 75 per cent in each eligible age group, in order to achieve a level of community protection which will help us eventually return to normal life.

“In the coming week we will be writing to approximately 80,000 people who have not received a first dose.

“This will include those who have previously told us that they do not wish to be vaccinated.

“We hope that some of these people have changed their mind, because of the new threat posed by the Delta variant.”

The latest data shows a single jab reduces the chances of catching the virus and needing hospital treatment buy around 75 per cent and by around 90 per cent after both doses of the vaccination.

There are still some misconceptions circulating on social media about the vaccine and some people still have concerns about receiving the jab.

Three experts, from primary care, vaccination and anti-microbial pharmacy have agreed to be quizzed on some of these by the Local Democracy Reporting Service in a live streamed Q&A.

That will take place on North Wales Live’s Facebook page from 5.30pm today (Thursday, 24 June).

Meanwhile the programme of stepping down two out of the three Ysbytai Enfys/Rainbow Hospitals in North Wales has begun – the first being at Canolfan Brailsford, Bangor, on 5 July.

In the central area Ysbyty Enfys Llandudno will stop vaccinating and hand back to Venue Cymru on 29 July.

If a minimum of eight weeks have passed since your first dose of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine, you can book a second dose appointment for the same brand vaccine using Betsi Cadwaladr’s online booking service at www.bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-information/covid-19-vaccination-online-booking/