People eligible for a third primary COVID-19 vaccine asked to come forward by Hywel Dda UHB

People aged 12 and over living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire with severely weakened immune systems at the time of their first and/or second COVID-19 vaccines are being asked to contact the health board to request a third dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

Following updated advise from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in September, Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) has worked with clinicians to identify eligible individuals to invite them for their third dose at an appropriate interval in their treatment cycle.

The health board is now asking anyone who was severely immunosuppressed at the time of their first or second COVID-19 vaccine and hasn’t yet been contacted about their third primary dose, to get in touch.

Bethan Lewis, Interim Assistant Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda UHB, said: “If your immune system was severely weakened due to an underlying health condition or medical treatment, you may not have made a good immune response to the first two doses of COVID-19 vaccination.

“A third primary dose of the vaccine will improve your levels of immunity to give you better protection and should be given at least eight weeks after the second dose, but timing will depend on any treatment you may be having. A booster vaccination may also be needed at a later date.

“If you live in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire and believe you are eligible for a third primary vaccine dose but have not been contacted yet, we are asking for you to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

Please note, a third primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is not the same as a booster vaccine. The health board will invite those eligible for a booster vaccine to attend a mass vaccination centre as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and please do not contact the health board at this time about a booster vaccine.

To request a third primary COVID-19 vaccine, please complete one of the following request forms that applies to you:

• request form for anyone aged 12 years and over with a severely weakened immune system due to an underlying health condition or medical treatment other than steroids https://forms.office.com/r/t9pesy3dWi
• request form for immunosuppressed individuals on high dose steroid medication https://forms.office.com/r/re8jg8nhT5

If you, or someone you know, are unable to access the online request forms, please contact us by phone by calling 0300 303 8322 or by email COVIDEnquiries.hdd@wales.nhs.uk to request your third primary COVID-19 vaccine dose.

More information regarding the third primary COVID-19 vaccine offer can be found here https://hduhb.nhs.wales/healthcare/covid-19-information/covid-19-vaccination-programme/third-primary-covid-19-vaccine/