Public Health Wales is urging eligible people in Wales to have their free Covid-19 spring vaccination to protect them against serious illness.

Health experts at Public Health Wales are reminding those eligible that Covid-19 is not just a winter illness and has not gone away.

The virus can still pose a serious health risk, especially for those most as risk such as older adults and people with a weakened immune system.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) from last spring’s programme, showed that individuals who received a vaccine were around 45 per cent less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid-19 from two weeks post-vaccination, compared to those who remained unvaccinated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Covid-19 vaccines have saved more than 1.4 million lives in the WHO European Region since the vaccines were introduced in December 2020.

Following the advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), in Wales the COVID-19 spring vaccination is being offered to: people aged 75 years and over; residents in a care home for older adults; and individuals aged six months and over who have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or medical treatment

Dr Christopher Johnson, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, said: “Even if you’ve had the Covid-19 vaccine before, strains of viruses change, and protection from vaccines can reduce over time.

“That’s why it is important for those who are most at risk to extend their protection by getting the latest vaccine that is offered.

“The chance of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 is greatly reduced by vaccination.

“Getting the Covid-19 vaccine when offered is still one of the best ways of protecting yourselves.”

The Covid-19 spring vaccination programme is running until the end of June.