A TEMPORARY vaccination centre will be set up in Holyhead amid a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus cases on the isle of Anglesey.

The mass vaccination centre at Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley will launch on Thursday with the aim to vaccinate 2,000 people in the top four priority groups by mid-February.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) said in January that it had no plans to set up a vaccination centre in Holyhead following calls from Ynys Môn MS Rhun ap Iorwerth and MP Virginia Crosbie.

Cases sharply increased following the Christmas period, continuing to rise through January, and remain at a high level.

Mr ap Iorwerth said: "With no mass vaccination centre earmarked for Anglesey's largest town, I asked the health board to take into consideration the challenges faced by primary care in the town over recent months.

"I was pleased that [BCUHB] responded positively to the case I put forward, and I'm glad this is being set up as an initial effort to bring mass vaccination into the Holyhead community, I look forward to seeing this being developed into a regular vaccination facility. This is good news for the local population.”

Virginia Crosbie, MP for Ynys Môn, said she had been contacted by constituents who were concerned that delays to the vaccination roll-out at some local surgeries prevented higher priority groups from having first access.

“I am delighted that BCUHB has taken the decision to set up an LVC in Holyhead," said Mrs Crosbie. "In the last few weeks I have been contacted by many of my constituents who were concerned that there were apparent delays to the vaccination roll-out at some local surgeries.

"This meant that some people from cohort four were receiving vaccinations ahead of those in cohorts two and three in the Holyhead area.

“I raised this with BCUHB, who were unaware of the position. They reacted very rapidly to appraise the situation and swiftly addressed the immediate problem for specific high-risk individuals. They then took the decision to open the LVC at Penrhos to ensure that there was sufficient provision to deal with local demand effectively.

“I would like to thank BCUHB for the proactive way in which they addressed the issues I raised and congratulate them on setting up an LVC so quickly.”

BCUHB said vaccination appointments will take place from Thursday to Sunday this week.

In a statement on its website, BCUHB said: "People in the top four priority groups from Holyhead and the surrounding area will be invited to attend the hospital as sessions will run from Thursday afternoon to Sunday (11-14 February).

"This will not be a drop-in session and attendance will be by appointment only.

"This is part of the Health Board’s plan to ensure that everyone in Priority Group 1 to 4 has been offered the vaccine by the middle of February.

"People are being reminded that they don’t not need to contact the Health Board or their GP as they will be contacted directly when it is their turn to be vaccinated."