Wales aims to offer Covid booster vaccine by end of year to all eligible adults
First Minister warns two doses of the vaccine isn't enough against the Omicron variant.
Wales is speeding up its vaccine booster programme as efforts to fight the Omicron variant of the virus are ramped up.
First Minister Mark Drakeford announced last night the Welsh NHS wants to offer all eligible adults a booster jab by the end of the year if it can.
Mark Drakeford also warned new restrictions may need to be introduced in Wales. That is something we might hear more about this coming Friday.
In response to the announcement, the Royal College of Nursing Wales welcomed the expansion, but warned the NHS in Wales was already under immense presssure.
Director Helen Whyley said there was a shortage of nurses:
"I am confident that nursing staff who are the driving force behind the delivery of the vaccination programme, will continue to do their best to battle this variant.
"However, the NHS in Wales is under immense pressure already, with a significant shortage in the nursing workforce.
"If the Welsh Government want the speed up the delivery of the vaccination program they have to take every step needed to slow the spread to ensure that services, staff and the public are protected”.
Yesterday it was confirmed a patient with the Omicron variant was hospitalised in Wales, while 15 new cases of the variant were confirmed in Wales.
Dr Meng Khaw, National Director for Health Protection and Screening Services for Public Health Wales, said:
"There are now Omicron cases in every health board area in Wales.
“In total, there are now four cases are in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area, five are in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area, four in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area, and 14 in the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board area. There is one case each in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area, the Powys Teaching Health Board area, and the Swansea Bay University Health Board area.
“As we have said previously, an increase in cases of Omicron variant in Wales is to be expected.”