100,000 vaccinations by the end of the week

More than 100,000 people will have been vaccinated in the area by the end of this week, according to health chiefs.

More than 23,000 Covid-19 vaccination doses have been delivered in the past two weeks alone in Powys, with many at Newtown's national vaccination centre at the Maldwyn Leisure Centre.

However, Powys Teaching Health Board has said it anticipates a drop in supplies during April.

It said this would not affect those with second vaccination appointments.

"Over 23,000 doses have been delivered in the last fortnight at a time when we have seen a peak in supplies. We do expect a drop in UK vaccine supplies during April, but please be assured that second dose appointments are not affected," said a statement.

So far, more than 71,000 people have received their first dose and 21,200 have received their second vaccination.

Invitations have now been sent out to everyone aged 55 years and over.

"Everyone aged 50-54 is being invited now, and you can join our reserve list to help us fill any cancellations. Everyone aged 40-49 can also join our secondary reserve list," said the statement.

"UK supplies will reduce during April. This is outside our local control. It will mean that the pace of first dose appointments will fall from their current peak, before they rise again later in the spring when supplies increase once more.

"Peaks and troughs in supply are very much expected as part of such a major vaccination programme. And, we remain on schedule to offer vaccination to everyone aged 18 and over by the end of July. This is Milestone 3 in the national vaccination strategy."