Betsi Cadwaladr health board has had to scale back immunisation plans because of a delay in delivery of more doses of the BioNtech/Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

The health board, which was initially given 975 doses of the vaccine, was expecting another batch towards the end of last week.

That would have supplied vaccines for front line staff in the central region, served by Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, followed by a vaccination programme for similar staff in the west, served by Ysbyty Gwynedd.

However, with the vaccine in demand around the world, supply problems mean those plans have had to be put back.

Dr Chris Stockport, BCUHB’s executive director of primary and community care, said: “Last week saw the start of a small scale vaccination rollout for front line healthcare staff working in high risk areas at Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor.

“It was planned that this would be followed by a similar roll out at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd starting this week. Our plans are changing due to a limited supply of the vaccine.”

Dr Stockport added: “We are prioritising the use of these vaccines using national guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) in order to ensure that the current limited availability is put to the most effective use.

“Enough supply is expected over the duration of the vaccination programme to vaccinate all of the priority groups in North Wales.”

By the end of last week, more than 6,000 people had received the first dose of the vaccine across Wales.

Those receiving it will need another dose administered 28 days afterwards, giving more than 90 per cent of recipients protection from Covid-19.

One piece of good news is the vaccine, which was thought to be too fragile to transport to care homes because of the need to keep it stored below -70C, can now be moved and deployed to care home residents, not just staff.

Welsh Government announced yesterday a pilot scheme to immunise care home patients which will start tomorrow, Wednesday, with Betsi one of the areas earmarked to trial the programme.