POWYS’ new coronavirus mass vaccination centre has issued jabs to 1,000 Powys residents in its initial few days of operating.

The centre is located at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, just outside Builth Wells, and, having been used as a mobile testing unit for the duration of the pandemic, opened its doors as a mass vaccination centre – alongside sites in Newtown and Bronllys – last Wednesday.

And it’s been a busy first few days, with 1,000 Powys residents aged 80 and over receiving their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Two of those to visit the centre for their jabs were husband and wife Alec and Elizabeth Tompkins, who expressed how glad they were to have had it and how they now hope it will lead to life returning to normal soon.

Steve Hughson, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said: “There have been huge difficulties right across the events sector since Covid struck.

“We were not able to hold our regular events at the showground last year and there remain huge challenges still ahead. Despite these challenges, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is proud to be able to work with Powys Teaching Health Board and to support the work they are doing to combat the virus.

“We have hosted a Covid testing facility here on the showground for a number of months now and I am really proud to see the mass vaccination centre opening here on the showground.

“We are delighted to have been able to play our part in helping the wider community in Powys at this time and we will continue to support in any way we can to help get back to normal and welcome people back to the showground for future agricultural events.”

The showground provides a great central location in Powys for the vaccination centre and has excellent facilities available to make the vaccination process as easy as possible.

As well as the fantastic support from the showground staff in getting set up, health board staff are supported by an army of volunteers as well as by members of the Royal Air Force to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Carol Shillabeer, chief executive of Powys Teaching Health Board, said “This really goes to show the benefits of partnership working in Powys.

“We have been working together with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society on testing and now we are doing Covid vaccinations. I would like to thank Steve and his whole team for the help and support they have given us over the past year.”

The health board expects to have written to every person over the age of 80 in Powys with an invitation to attend for a vaccination by the end of this week.

The health board would like to remind people that they must not attend a vaccination centre unless they have an appointment booked. GPs will also soon be contacting people directly to offer vaccination to other priority groups. Again, people are asked not to call their GP for an appointment at this time.