First-dose vaccinations have taken a back seat to second doses because of a dip in supply from manufacturers.

Vaccine numbers, which have reduced in North Wales for a couple of weeks because of “central supply issues”, will increase again within the next week or so.

The news comes after the number of people receiving a first dose of the vaccine passed the 200,000 mark in North Wales.

This week, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is receiving 16,380 Pfizer and 10,000 Astra Zeneca doses, with Pfizer vaccines being used for second doses, according to information distributed to MPs and Senedd members.

In the previous week, around 20,000 people received a first dose and more than 41,000 the week before that.

The issues with reduced central supplies of the vaccine, which has affected all health boards, will be resolved in early March, according to health minister Vaughan Gething.

He said there had been a two-week dip in supply of the inoculation, but stocks were due to increase more quickly than expected.

Mr Gething said: “We are now urgently working through plans to match delivery capacity to that supply profile.

“We want to ensure as many people as possible can be vaccinated as soon as those earlier supplies allow.

“We have always said our vaccination programme can go faster, but is subject to increased predictable vaccine supply.”

He also revealed he expected Wales to be able to match England’s “pace” of vaccination rollout.

Betsi Cadwaladr said it expects to hit its target of immunising everyone in priority groups 1-9 by the end of April.

Almost two thirds (63 per cent) of the over 65s had been vaccinated up to 21 February, and the board will start immunising people in priority group 6 (those aged 60-64) once the figure reaches 80 per cent in the coming days.

A list has been drawn up of staff to be offered the jab if people fail to turn up for their appointment.

This now includes police officers after a national agreement was reached but the board is still awaiting national guidance on which unpaid carers fall into priority group 6.

Betsi Cadwaladr has also set up a task and finish group with GPs to remove barriers for people with disabilities, sight and hearing problems or cultural or language barriers, as well as travelling communities and the homeless, and make sure they get equal access to vaccinations.

There is still a small percentage of people who have not been reached in priority groups 1-4 and the board is urging anyone in these groups who hasn’t been contacted to call 03000 840004 and arrange an appointment.

So far 91 per cent of the first four priority groups have either been vaccinated or offered a jab.

As of 21 February:

• 213,107 people had received Covid-19 vaccinations in North Wales

• 202,804 first dose

• 10,250 second dose

• 174,870 vaccinations given to those in top four priority groups (including first and second doses)