A mass Covid-19 vaccination centre which closed due to supply shortages is set to re-open.
The Centre in Gorseinon closed last week because of a dip in vaccine supply which Swansea Bay University Health Board described as 'expected' and 'planned for'. It will re-open from Monday to Wednesday next week to give second doses of the Oxford vaccine by appointment only.
The closure came amid continued drops in coronavirus infecton rates, while vaccination rates continue to increase. And even though there has also been a decrease in the number of people in hospital with coronavirus across Wales, health chiefs continue to warn about a possible third wave.
A health board spokesman said: "We’d like to reassure the community that the Canolfan Gorseinon Mass Vaccination Centre will re-open on Monday, April 26. The centre will be open from Monday to Wednesday next week to give second doses of the Oxford vaccine by appointment only. As previously stated, the current closure is temporary due to an expected and well publicised national dip in vaccine supply, which we have planned for.
"During this time we are maximising the use of our other Mass Vaccination Centres (MVCs) at the Bay Field Hospital and The Orangery, Margam. The temporary closure of Canolfan Gorseinon MVC will not prevent anyone from having their second dose of the Covid vaccine".
The temporary closure of the centre meant its staff were able to take a much-needed break from their efforts through the pandemic.
The health board also pointed out that people who'd had their first vaccine dose at the Gorseinon MVC could be called to a different location for their second.
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Dorothy Edwards, deputy director of transformation at Swansea Bay University Health Board, added: “There has been a national (UK) slowdown in the supply of first dose Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine which has been well publicised. We will continue to utilise Gorseinon for second doses and our opening hours reflect the volume of second doses due.
“We flex capacity across all of our sites in line with vaccine availability and we are committed to continuing to use Gorseinon as part of the delivery of the vaccination programme.”
