HYWEL Dda UHB urges eligible groups to get flu and COVID vaccines as community pop-up centres open for winter season.

Eligible people, especially children aged 2-3 and people with long-term health conditions, are being encouraged contact their GP for an appointment to receive their flu vaccine or attend a local pop-up vaccine clinic.

The health board is sending appointment letters inviting people to attend their local pop-up community vaccine clinic. Eligible people can also drop-in to receive their flu and / or COVID-19 vaccinations at their local community vaccine clinic, with no appointment needed.

Details of local temporary community vaccination centres are below:

  • Saundersfoot: Regency Hall – Friday, December 12; Tuesday, December 16; Friday, December 19; Tuesday, January 6.
  • Manorbier: Giraldus Centre – Wednesday, December 17; Wednesday, January 14.
  • Pembroke Dock: Pater Hall – Monday, December 1; Wednesday, December 3; Monday, January 12.
  • Neyland: Community Hub – Thursday, December 4; Thursday, January 15.
  • Milford Haven: Pill Social Centre – Thursday, December 11.
  • Haverfordwest: RFC, Merlins Bridge – Wednesday, December 10; Monday, December 15; Friday, January 9.
  • Narberth: Bloomfield House Community Centre – Monday, December 8; Friday, January 16.
  • St Clears: Leisure Centre – Friday, December 5; Thursday, January 29.
  • Whitland: Memorial Hall – Sunday, December 14; Wednesday, January 14.

Flu can be serious, particularly for young children, older adults and people with long-term health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. These conditions increase vulnerability to complications, from catching influenza viruses. Last year, over 4,000 people in Wales were admitted to hospital with influenza, with 4 per cent of these requiring care in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The following groups are eligible for the Flu vaccine:

  • Children aged 2 and 3 on August 31, 2025*.
  • All school-aged children from Reception to Year 11*.
  • Adults aged 65 and over by March 31, 2026.
  • People aged six months to 64 years with long-term health conditions.
  • Pregnant women, care home residents, carers, and those living with immunocompromised individuals.
  • Frontline health and social care workers, first responders, and poultry workers at high risk.
  • *The nasal spray flu vaccine will also be available for children aged 2 (on August 31, 2025) to 16.

A single dose COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to:

  • Adults aged 75 and over (including those turning 75 during the vaccination period)
  • Residents in older adult care homes
  • Individuals with weakened immune systems

To find out more about eligibility for these vaccinations visit https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/winter-vaccinations/.

Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective. You might still contract the virus, but your symptoms are likely to be milder. 

Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are quick and very safe and could prevent weeks of serious illness this winter.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda UHB, said: "We are seeing influenza circulate earlier than usual in our communities. This reinforces the importance of getting your flu vaccine as soon as possible.

“The vaccine is updated every year to match the most common strains and remains our best defence against serious illness. Despite reports of a new strain this winter, testing shows the current vaccine continues to offer strong protection, reducing the risk of hospitalisation by up to 75 per cent in children and up to 40 per cent in adults. Annual vaccination is essential to stay protected."

For more information, visit https://hduhb.nhs.wales/fluvaccine or contact the health board on 0300 303 8322 option 1 or [email protected].