Gypsy and Traveller community members receive flu vaccines in drop-in clinics
18 November 2024
Members of the Cardiff Gypsy and Traveller community protected themselves against flu at two special drop-in vaccination clinics.
Immunisation professionals at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board visited Shirenewton and Rover Way sites to vaccinate both children and adults on Tuesday, October 29.
During the sessions, 18 children and young people were given the nasal spray flu vaccine, and three adult women received the flu injections. There was also a chance for staff to receive their own flu vaccinations.
Claire Beynon, Executive Director of Public Health, said: “A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone involved in these drop-in clinics. The teams engaged with many families and received positive feedback throughout the day.
“I urge all eligible people to get their winter vaccinations to protect themselves and those around them. It will also play a huge part in reducing the pressure on the front door of our hospitals.”
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “Cardiff Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Service is committed to supporting the Gypsy and Traveller Community and has been working with the Health Board to provide access to healthcare and advice for residents.
“We are pleased with the success of recent immunisation events which have included the MMR vaccine, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, flu and HPV vaccines, and are working towards holding a health fair in the near future to support community members on our council-managed sites in the city.”
The Winter Respiratory Vaccination Programme (WRVP) for 2024/25 was launched in September, with the aim of protecting those at greatest risk of harm from both flu and COVID-19.
The full list of eligible groups for the free flu vaccine is as follows:
- Children aged two and three years on 31 August, 2024
- Children in primary school from reception class to year 6 (inclusive)
- Children in secondary school from year 7 to year 11 (inclusive)
- People aged six months to 64 years in clinical risk groups
- People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March, 2024)
- Pregnant women
- Carers aged 16 and over
- People aged 6 months to 65 years who live with someone who has a weakened immune system
- People with a learning disability
- Frontline health and social care workers
- All staff working in care homes with regular client contact
Children aged 2 and 3 years old will predominantly have their vaccines in GP surgeries, while primary and secondary children will be invited for theirs in school.
Those eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination include:
- People aged 6 months to 64 years with a long-term health condition (which includes pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system)
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2025)
- Unpaid carers
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Staff working in care homes for older adults
All eligible people will be invited to receive their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations at either their GP Practice, local pharmacy or nearest community vaccination clinic.
At this stage in the programme you will not be able to walk into a community vaccination clinic without an appointment.
For those who have appointments, the addresses of the community vaccination centres are as follows:
- Ely Hub: Cowbridge Road West, Ely, CF5 5BQ
- Barry Hospital: Colcot Road. Barry, CF62 8YH
- Butetown Health Centre: Plas Iona, Butetown, CF10 5HW
- Rookwood Hospital: Fairwater Road, Llandaff, CF5 2YN
- Splott: The Old Star Centre, 2 Splott Road, Splott, Cardiff CF24 2BZ
- Penarth Community Hub
- Maelfa Hub: Round Wood, Llanedeyrn, CF23 9PF
If people wish to reschedule or cancel their appointments, they can call our call centre on 02921 841234. Alternatively, they can cancel or reschedule by replying to the text message they received for their appointment.
More information on the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be found on the Public Health Wales website.
Vaccine information in accessible formats can also be found on the Public Health Wales website.