Over 132,000 vaccinations given as extra clinics announced

More than 132,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine have now been given to Bridgend County Borough residents.

Across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area, 80% of people have had one dose and one in three are fully vaccinated. A total of 421,277 vaccines have been given, which is made up of 291,479 first doses and 129,798 second doses. The total number of doses for Bridgend County Borough now stands at 132,905, with 40,009 residents fully vaccinated.

The health board has announced that from next week, extra clinics will be held for people over the age of 40 who have not already had their first dose and do not already have an appointment.

If you are eligible, you can fill out a form on the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board website. Once completed, a member of the team will be in touch. When attending your appointment, you will be asked to bring photo ID.

Residents who are struggling to complete the form can call the vaccination advice line on 01685 726464. The advice line team can’t book appointments but will assist you to fill in the form. Lines are open daily from 9am to 4.30pm.

With new variants of Cvid-19 making headlines, we are monitoring the situation closely alongside the health board and Public Health Wales while awaiting further guidance from Welsh Government.

While it is brilliant to see that a large number of vaccines have been given to residents and that restrictions are being eased, the virus has not gone away.

We all need to continue to act responsibly and follow the guidelines in place on wearing masks, social distancing, washing our hands and getting tested if symptoms appear.

Council Leader Huw David

Coronavirus testing remains available for residents who feel unwell. If you have one of the three main symptoms - a high temperature, new continuous cough, or loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, you must book a test as soon as possible and self-isolate at home.

A drive-through testing facility is available daily at the site of the former Revlon / Cosi factory off Oakwood Drive in Maesteg (CF34 8TS) between 9am and 5pm. A walk-through testing facility is also available at the Bowls Hall car park of Bridgend Life Centre (CF31 4AH) between 2pm and 8pm.

Booking is essential at the Welsh Government website or by calling 119 - if you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can call 18001119.