AN INCREASE in verbal abuse towards vaccination centre staff during the booster jab roll-out is “totally unacceptable”, health chiefs have said, as Hywel Dda reveals more than 70,000 booster vaccines have been administered in the region.

Latest data published by Public Health Wales shows that almost 70,000 booster vaccines have been administered across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire by Sunday, 7 November.

In the seven days between Monday, 1 and Sunday, 7 November, a total of 15,125 booster vaccines were given at Hywel Dda’s seven mass vaccination centres, alongside nearly 1,000 first and second doses and 500 third doses to immunosuppressed people.

But Bethan Lewis, Interim Assistant Director of Public Health, for Hywel Dda, warned that it was not all good news for health staff across the three counties.

“Sadly, over the last few weeks we have seen an increase in verbal abuse directed towards our staff and volunteers,” she said.

“This is totally unacceptable, and we plead with everyone who is eligible for a booster to be patient.

“The safety of staff and patients is paramount.”

More than 500,000 people have now had their Covid-19 booster vaccination in Wales, including more than half of 70 to 74-year-olds and more than a quarter of 65 to 69-year-olds.

Health minister Eluned Morgan said: “Our NHS and care workforce is doing an incredible job but they are exhausted.

“They’ve worked flat out and have done everything we have asked of them.

“We can support the NHS this winter by getting the spread of coronavirus under control and preventing more people falling seriously ill with Covid-19.

“We can do this by ensuring we’ve had both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and having the autumn booster too if we’re eligible.”

Everyone who is eligible will receive an appointment letter between 24 and 29 weeks following their second vaccine, Hywel Dda said.

Bethan Lewis added: “We know people are keen to get their booster as quickly as possible, but there is no need to worry if the booster vaccine is given a few weeks after the six-month period.”