WELSH Government will no longer be offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to certain age groups.

Adhering to the latest expert information, as a precautionary measure we will immediately implement the change in advice from JCVI and MHRA and offer those under 40 (with no clinical risk factors) who are not yet vaccinated an alternate to AstraZeneca [AZ].

The appropriate vaccine will be made available at their appointment, Welsh Government confirm.

A spokesman said that they do not envisage this development will lead to a delay to the roll-out of our vaccine programme in Wales.

The Welsh Government spokesman continued: “Everybody who has already had a first dose of the AZ vaccine should be reassured that they should receive a second dose of the same brand, irrespective of age, in line with JVCI advice.

"Medical exemptions may apply to a very small minority.

“The AZ vaccine has already saved thousands of lives and remains safe and effective for the majority of the population.

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“Over 1.2million people have received the AZ vaccine in Wales since January, with very few cases of the rare clotting with thrombocytopenia event.

“Vaccines remain the best way out of this pandemic and provide strong protection against COVID-19 – it is important that when people are called forward, they should get their jab.”

To date, over 1.8million people in Wales have received a first dose of vaccine and a further 800,000 have also received a second dose.

In the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area, as of May 6, staff and volunteers have given out over 610,300 jabs (including first and second doses).

A full local breakdown is available here:

• Anglesey: 66,872

• Gwynedd: 102,312

• Conwy: 115,747

• Denbighshire: 87,350

• Flintshire: 117,919

• Wrexham: 99,902

• Other: 12,883

The spokesman adds: “Welsh Government, Public Health Wales and NHS Wales are working with other agencies to continually monitor vaccine safety and will keep this issue under close review.

“In Wales, people’s safety will always come first and we will only use vaccines where it is safe to do so and the benefits continue to outweigh the risks.”