A plea has been issued to Dwyfor Meirionnydd’s over 70s and the clinically extremely vulnerable to book their first Covid-19 vaccination appointment.

Betsi Cadwaladr’s Dr Chris Stockport made the plea while reinforcing the health board’s commitment to ensure that nobody is left behind in the vaccination programme.

“Our vaccination teams and primary care partners have worked incredibly hard over recent weeks and we can all be rightly proud that Wales was the first UK nation to vaccinate more than 20 per cent of its population,” he said.

“We need the public’s help to ensure nobody gets left behind. If you are over the age of 70 or you have previously received a formal letter from the Welsh Government advising you to shield because you are clinically extremely vulnerable, and you haven’t received your first coronavirus vaccination appointment, please contact the Covid-19 vaccination booking centre.

“We’d also ask friends, family and neighbours of people who fall into these priority groups check in with them, to ensure they have received their first appointment.

“If you are not in these priority groups, then we would not be able to book your appointment just yet as that would mean somebody at greater risk being delayed.

“From time to time, if we have cancellations or more vaccine supplied than expected, we may phone people in priority groups to offer them a short-notice appointment. Please be aware of this if you generally do not answer calls from numbers you do not recognise. If you are unable to accept a short notice appointment then you will still be offered an alternative, suitable appointment.”

Call 03000 840004 any day between 8am and 5pm to book an appointment.