Coronavirus vaccine centre opens in Newtown leisure centre

The third mass vaccination centre in Powys opened on Wednesday (January 20) at the Maldwyn Leisure Centre.

Hefina Anwyl from Staylittle was one of the hundreds of people over the age of 80 vaccinated received their first jab.

"There wasn’t a thing to it, didn’t feel a thing!," she said.

"It was well organised, staff were very friendly, just a shame we can’t have a cup of tea too!”

The facility opened at 8am on Wednesday morning and by the time it closed this evening will have vaccinated more than 500 people and more than 2,000 people by the weekend.

Health and care staff had been vaccinated at a smaller centre in Park Street Day Centre in Newtown but working from the leisure centre will help get more people to be vaccinated.

Care worker Dawn Robinson was also vaccinated today.

Care worker Dawn Robinson said: “The arrival was well organised and went very smooth. I have been reading a lot about vaccines and couldn’t help feel a little apprehensive, but the jab went absolutely fine, there was nothing to worry about.”

Powys Teaching Health Board said it is grateful for the support given by Freedom Leisure in helping get everything ready for today’s opening.

Last week saw the opening of the mid Powys mass vaccination centre at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells. In its first few days of operation, almost 1,000 residents aged 80 and over received their first dose of the Covid vaccine.

Every person over the age of 80 in Powys should now have had a letter inviting them for vaccination.

Anyone who has not yet received a letter when they should have, can fill in a form on the Powys Teaching Health Board website to let them know and they can call to arrange a vaccination. For more information, visit https://pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/over-80-in-powys-and-not-received-an-invitation-to-vaccination/