The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has said some messages inviting residents for a vaccination have been sent in error, but most of the text messages sent are legitimate.
Residents in the area have taken to social media this week to warn others of “scam” texts inviting them to click on a link and book a vaccine appointment. Some who received the texts said they were convinced it was a scam because they have already had both jabs.
However the health board confirmed these messages were not a scam.
The text reads: "Our records show you still have not received your first Covid-19 vaccination. Please visit your patient portal to arrange an appointment or to confirm you do not wish to receive a vaccination at this time."
A follow up text reads: "Welcome to the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. The previous message regarding booking your Covid-19 vaccination has been sent in error. The programme is not currently open to under 18s so please disregard the message."
The health board confirmed on Thursday that the texts are genuine, but some of them have been sent in error, including to under-18s.
A spokeswoman for the health board said: “We can confirm these text messages are genuine. We are aware some people received messages in error, and have been issued with follow-up messages to inform them that this is the case.”
More than 2.1 million adults in Wales have now received their first dose of the jab, with one million people getting both. It means 45% of adults in Wales are now fully vaccinated, but the programme is not yet open to under 18s.
