One million Covid-19 vaccines administered by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

This week, Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB has reached a significant landmark of one million COVID-19 vaccines administered to residents across Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

CTM UHB is the third health board in Wales to reach this milestone of one-million vaccine doses given, in the largest mass vaccination programme of our time.

The vaccination programme was first rolled out to staff in December 2020, and then to the public at GP surgeries in January 2021. The delivery of the vaccination programme was moved to five specially transformed, Community Vaccination Centres in April 2021.

Gabriel Salvatore, 14, from Bridgend, received the one-millionth vaccine, which was his third jab, administered at Ravens Court Community Vaccination Centre this week.

Gabriel attended the centre with his mother, Rosaleen, and younger brother, Nathaniel, 13 who also received his booster jab.

The family were delighted to be part of this significant landmark and they all expressed the need to protect others.

Gabriel said, “I feel honoured to have taken the one millionth COVID-19 jab. I believe doing this protects my loved ones and others.”

Overall, take up of the vaccine in the CTM area has been good – 279,252 people have received their booster jab, which means 82% of the eligible population have received all vaccines to give them maximum protection against the virus.

Julie Keegan, Director for the COVID-19 programme, gave credit to all those involved in the vaccination programme for the tremendous efforts shown in these unprecedented times.

“The vaccine programme is the biggest and longest ever undertaken by our Health board and its success is a tribute to the efforts of so many people,” she said.

“Reaching this milestone is down to months of hard work from everyone at CTM UHB, the GPs, local authorities, Ministry of defence, voluntary and community organisations who all have played a role, helping to protect hundreds of thousands of local people.

“Thanks to everyone working together, we’ve been able to offer vaccinations on this huge scale. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has given up their time, given extra hours, and gone over and above to help make this happen – we couldn’t have done it without you.”

“We’d like to thank all Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board residents who have already taken up the offer of a Covid-19 vaccine and shown understanding, patience, and a great appreciation towards our vaccination teams.” Vaccinations save lives, so if you’re aged 12 and above and have yet to take up the offer of a vaccination, please come along to protect yourselves against this virus.”

“We have made fantastic progress on our vaccination rollout, ensuring as many people as possible get the maximum protection against this awful virus.”

“However, we need to remember that there is still a long way to go. We want everyone to do their bit to help us beat the virus and stop new variants from occurring. We are urging everyone in CTM UHB area, who has not yet taken up their offer of a vaccine to get their vaccination as soon as possible, to help protect both themselves and others. COVID can affect anyone, young, as well as old, so don’t risk your health – or losing the new freedoms that the vaccination programme has brought for everyone.”

CMT UHB will continue to send people an appointment for their next vaccine when it becomes due. In addition to the allocated appointments, the Health board offers walk in sessions across five community vaccination centres and currently have two drive thru vaccination sites at Ysbyty’r Seren, Bridgend and Kier Hardie, Merthyr Tydfil. Information on times and eligibility are on the Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB website.