Local councillors are urging Ceredigion residents to have “patience” as GP community Covid-19 vaccinations begin, after a Welsh Government map showed only one mass vaccination centre in Ceredigion.

Vaccination of the over-80s through community GP practices has already begun and, as of last week, 14 practices across the Hywel Dda region, including four in Ceredigion, have started administering the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

But health and care staff across Ceredigion are still being asked to travel to mass vaccination centres in Cardigan or Carmarthen. This is because the Pfizer vaccine being administered at such vaccination centres cannot be easily transported, unlike the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

Hywel Dda Health Board said it is looking into setting up a community vaccination centre in Aberystwyth as more vaccine doses are provided, but expects the “majority of people” will access the vaccine through local GP surgeries.

When asked whether she was concerned about the lack of mass vaccination centres in Ceredigion, Aberaeron councillor and chair of the Hywel Dda Community Health Council, Elizabeth Evans said: “On the face of it, as chair of the CHC, we are asking exactly the same questions as you.

“The issue is they’re not looking at opening the centre in Aberystwyth for some time, because they think there could be enough capacity with every GP administering the vaccine.

“Cardigan is obviously issuing the Pfizer vaccine because they have the ability to store it there. It will be the AstraZeneca vaccine used in the north because it’s much easier to store.

“We’re having weekly meetings with Hywel Dda, and what we’re trying to do is garner people’s experience of having the vaccine. Particularly older people who would normally be able to get a bus but they’re now cut off from having the vaccine.

“I know they’re have been missed appointments, so we need to help people to travel.”

Aberystwyth councillor Ceredig Davies added: “Vaccination of as many people as possible should be a priority, be that through a vaccination centre or by alternative means such as GP surgeries.

“I am certain that the medical professionals within Hywel Dda have our best interest at heart and all we need is a little patience.”

Hywel Dda Health Board said it could not confirm the location of the surgeries currently administering the vaccine.

On the lack of vaccination centres in Ceredigion, a spokesperson for the health board said: “The majority of people will be able to access the vaccine locally through their GP practices, and mass vaccination centres are being established to help support the required increase in numbers of vaccines given in area of higher population densities.”