NORTH Wales continues to lead the way with vaccination, official figures show.

Data reveals that, of the people who have been offered a vaccine already, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) continues to lead the way in Wales when it comes to the number of jabs given to those on the priority list.

The latest update shows that, of the 155,514 injections given since immunisation began, BCUHB accounts for 32,264 – which is around 20 per cent of all Welsh vaccines.

The full breakdown by health board includes:

• Aneurin Bevan UHB – 25,952 doses to date

• Betsi Cadwaladr UBH – 32,264 doses to date

• Cardiff and Vale UHB – 24,763 doses to date

• Cwn Taf Morgannwg UHB – 22,232 doses to date

• Hywel Dda UHB – 19,103 doses to date

• Powys Teaching HB – 8,509 doses to date

• Swansea Bay UHB – 20,157 doses to date

• Velindre NHS Trust – 2,534 doses to date

Officials stress that, due to data lags, the actual numbers of vaccinations given will be higher than reported. The data will be updated on a weekly basis.

Dr Giri Shankar, incident director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales (PHW), said: “Vaccinating the adult population of Wales, to protect people from severe disease, is a significant task, and the vaccine will take time to reach everyone. The effects of the vaccines may not be seen nationally for some time, and everyone – including those who have been vaccinated - must continue to follow the advice on keeping Wales safe.

“Members of the public should not phone your GP, pharmacy or hospital asking when they will get a vaccine. When someone is in one of the groups eligible for the vaccine, they will be invited to attend a dedicated clinic which will have been set up to ensure patient safety and that of the healthcare professionals.”

When you are eligible for the vaccine on Public Health Wales, you’ll be invited to a dedicated clinic.

This priority list, according to the PHW website, is as follows:

1. residents in a care home for older adults and their carers

2. all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers

3. all those 75 years of age and over

4. all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals

5. all those 65 years of age and over

6. all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality

7. all those 60 years of age and over

8. all those 55 years of age and over

9. all those 50 years of age and over

It is estimated that taken together, these groups represent around 99 per cent of preventable mortality from COVID-19.