A HUGE operation to vaccinate care home staff will start from today (Tuesday).

The Enfys Hospitals in Llandudno, Bangor and Deeside will be used to vaccinate nearly 2,000 care home staff.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will use three mass vaccination centres this week so care home staff from across North Wales can get the vaccine.

Only people who have been contacted directly by the Health Board will be able to get the vaccine, and people are being reminded not to turn up without an appointment.

At the same time, a small number of frontline staff who work in high risk areas at Ysbyty Gwynedd will also be vaccinated.

Teresa Owen, Executive Director of Public Health, said: “We want to be able to vaccinate at risk people as quickly as possible, so being able to use these mass vaccination centres is a key part of our rollout process.

“We know this can be an anxious time and we are working very hard to ensure that all those eligible receive their vaccine in turn as supplies are provided to us. We will continue to target those people who have been prioritised by the national Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

“It is important that people remember they do not need to contact the Health Board or their GP to get the vaccine. People will be contacted directly when it is their turn and will receive all the information they need to book their appointment.

“We would like to thank everyone for their patience, and understanding, while we roll out this significant vaccination programme.”

Some care home staff have already received vaccinations. Clive Nadin, owner and manager of the Abbey Dale Care Home, Colwyn Bay said: “The majority of our staff have been vaccinated and we are very pleased about this as it creates an opportunity for us to get back to some form of normality. But there is a long way to go before he majority of the population is vaccinated, and we can’t let down our guard.

“I implore everyone to get vaccinated when the time comes.”

The Assistant Manager of Treflys Care Home, Llandudno, said: “We are very glad vaccinations are happening and we have booked in as many staff as we can and hope it will move things forward.

“Our staff are very pleased as it is the only way we can move things forward and try to get back to normality.”