Hywel Dda University Health Board has thanked primary care for its role in administering conronavirus vaccines at GP practices.

All 48 GP practices across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire signed up to deliver the programme, committing to delivering the programme to certain JCVI priority groups.

Of all doses given so far within the three counties, almost 213,000 vaccines (51%) have been given by GP practices.

Practices are now well on their way to completing the task of offering a second dose to every patient who has had a first vaccine and have already done 96,500 second vaccine doses at the time of publication.

Dr Sion James, Deputy Medical Director for Primary Care said: "Having the experience of running the vaccination programme in my own practice I know how both challenging and rewarding it has been to be part of this programme.

"It is testament to our Practices commitment to delivering the best patient care possible that they have continued to work with us throughout the programme.

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, Community Services and Long Term Care said: "I am proud of the commitment shown by all of our practices for the excellent work that they have done in helping the Health Board to deliver this programme.

"Throughout the pandemic their commitment to maintaining the delivery of general medical services to their patients hasn't wavered despite staff being under pressure and feeling tired.

"The delivery of the vaccination programme has been a whole system effort to protect our patients."

Meanwhile, the health board has delivered its 400,000th vaccine, meaning 260,447 of the eligible population across the three counties have now received a first vaccine and 147,439 the full course.

In Hywel Dda 407,916 vaccinations have been administered up until June 2, with 20,859 in the last seven days.

In Ceredigion (population 72,695) 47,391 first doses have been given as well as 26,714 second doses.

In Carmarthenshire (population 188,771) 121,740 first doses have been administered, and 69,163 second doses.

And in Pembrokeshire (population 125,818) has seen 84,464 first dose appointments and 47,825 second doses. Over 36 per cent of the population have had two jabs.

Everyone over the age of 18 can now apply for a Covid-19 vaccine in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, Hywel Dda health board has confirmed.

A statement from the health board said: “Thank you to everyone who has come forward for their vaccine to date.

"Our best defence against all strains of Covid-19 remains our impressive vaccination programme which is why we must do all we can to slow the spread of variants and allow time for as many people as possible to get their vaccination.

"It is even more important now to take up the offer of the first and second doses of the vaccine when offered.

“We will leave no one behind. Everyone aged 18 or over or in JCVI priority groups 1 to 9 can now come forward to request a vaccine.

“If you haven’t received an appointment yet or have changed your mind having turned down an offer of a vaccine previously, contact the health board as soon as possible so an appointment can be arranged for you.”