FREE flu vaccinations for 50 to 64 year-olds will be available this year, but will not arrive in Powys until November.

This year the NHS in Wales will be extending the offer of flu vaccination to those aged 50 to 64 years of age, and additional vaccine supplies have been ordered for this purpose by the UK Government.

But patients are being asked to note that these will not start to arrive in Powys from central stores until late November.

Powys Teaching Health Board also wants people to be aware that the vaccines will be supplied on a phased basis. This means that the vaccine is not yet available and, when it is available, it is likely to be administered over a period of weeks and on an age-based approach, such as starting with the oldest age groups first.

Exact details of how people aged 50 to 64 will be invited for vaccination and where vaccination will take place will be made available nearer the time, but in the meantime, please do not contact your GP for a flu vaccine if you are in this age group as vaccine is not available.

This does not apply if you are already eligible for flu vaccination as someone who is in a pre-existing at risk category, and you will be contacted by your GP surgery to arrange vaccination as per usual.

More information will be released by Powys Teaching Health Board via social media, the Health Board website, and your GP website about vaccination for 50 to 64 year olds in the next few weeks as arrangements are confirmed.