Covid: Invites start for Wales autumn booster campaign

The Welsh government has announced its vaccination strategy following the latest advice from the JCVI

Appointments are now being offered for the autumn Covid booster vaccine.

Vaccinations will begin next month and all adults over the age of 50 in Wales will be offered the jab by the end of November.

Those eligible will also be offered a flu vaccine by the end of December as the country is being warned about "much higher or unseasonal flu activity".

Over 18s will initially be offered the Moderna vaccine with Pfizer for younger people.

The Welsh government said eligible adults over 18 would initially be offered the Moderna vaccine which protects from both the original virus and the Omicron variant.

Those eligible for the autumn Covid booster are:

• Residents and staff in a care home for older adults

• Front line health and social care workers

• All adults aged 50 and over

• People aged five to 49 years old in a clinically at-risk group, including pregnant women

• People aged five to 49 years old who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression

• People aged between 16 and 49 who are carers

Wales' Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan, said: "As the UK moves from a period of pandemic emergency response to recovery, our focus will be on protecting those in society who continue to be more at risk of severe COVID-19.

• All over-50s in Wales to be offered Covid booster

"Vaccines have had an enormous impact on the course of the pandemic and have helped to weaken the link between the virus, serious illness, hospitalisations and death.

"They have saved countless lives and given us the freedom and confidence to restart our lives.

"I urge anyone who is eligible and invited to have the autumn booster this year to take up the offer and I thank everyone working on the vaccination programme in Wales."

The Welsh government is aiming to reach 75% of those who are eligible.