Keep to the guidelines after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine

With 14,621 people in Ceredigion have had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of 10 February 2021, those who have received the first dose are reminded to keep following the rules.

The Welsh Government are rapidly rolling out the vaccine programme. However, they can’t yet begin to relax measures and guidance that are protecting people. They are in place to protect your family, your friends, the community and the people of Ceredigion and beyond.

You will be invited to receive your vaccine in turn, and your GP or the health board will contact you to make an appointment at the relevant time. More information about the vaccines can be found on the Hywel Dda University Health Board website.

• Keeping safe whilst travelling to receive your vaccine

The mass vaccination centres and GP Surgery provide a safe environment and space to maintain social distancing to allow more people to be vaccinated as efficiently and as quickly as possible. It is also very important that you ensure your safety whilst travelling to and from your appointment at a mass vaccination centre.

If you have access to your own private transport this should be used to attend your appointment. Lifts can be accepted from someone in your household or support bubble, but not from anyone else due to the risk of transmission of the virus. Hywel Dda University Health Board is working closely with community organisations and transport groups to ensure support is given to those who are genuinely struggling to travel to a mass vaccination centre. Contact the health board using the number on your appointment letter if you require assistance with transport or visit the Mass Vaccination Centres page on the Hywel Dda University Health Board website.

• Keep yourself and others safe after your vaccine

Those who have received their first COVID-19 vaccine should still act to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community. The latest evidence suggests the first dose of current COVID-19 vaccines provide high levels of short-term protection, however, we don’t yet know whether the vaccines stop us catching and passing on the virus to others. So you must continue to follow the government guidance not only to protect yourself but also the people around you. This means you must continue to stay at home, reduce all but essential contact with others and keep 2 metres apart, self-isolate when you need to, wash your hands regularly and wear a mask when required.

• The second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

It is important to have the second dose for longer-term protection. You will be called to receive your second dose within 12 weeks of your first. Continue to follow the guidance to protect others.

• Those who are shielding

Many individuals are clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19, and have been advised to shield, because their immune system is suppressed by disease or treatment they are receiving. This means they cannot fight infection well, it also means they do not respond well to vaccines. It’s important that they and everyone else continue to follow COVID-19 guidance, such as social distancing, hand hygiene and face covering even if they have been vaccinated.

Even if you have had both doses of COVID-19 vaccine, you should continue to follow the shielding advice, until further notice as we continue to assess the impact of vaccination among all groups. The people you live with should continue to follow the public health rules and guidance as long as they are in place, including if you have received the vaccine and also if they have received the vaccine.

Ceredigion and Wales are on Alert Level 4, and the rules which are in force can be found on the Welsh Government’s website.

Information and advice regarding the coronavirus situation in Ceredigion is available on Ceredigion County Council’s website or call 01545 570881.

Thank you for staying apart to play your part.

Together, we can keep Ceredigion safe.