VOLUNTEERS in the vaccination effort in Barry, and across Wales, have been praised for their efforts.

Barry mass vaccination centre is currently giving the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine to people aged 60 to 65 and those with underlying health conditions.

Site supervisor, Sharon Chapman, said: “It’s an injection of hope.

“We’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but people still need to be careful.”

Barrys mass vaccination centre

Barry's mass vaccination centre

The Barry centre is open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, with volunteers - including students and military - helping the efforts.

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “At the weekend, Wales passed the remarkable milestone of a million doses of vaccine given to people – this couldn’t have been achieved without the sheer dedication, hard-work and awe-inspiring efforts of everyone involved in the vaccine roll-out.

“A huge number of people are working behind the scenes to create Wales’ biggest ever vaccination programme from a standing start.

“I was very impressed with the welcome and understanding from all staff at the Barry MVC.

"I am immensely proud of what has been achieved across Wales in such a short space of time and all the hard work to help keep all of us safe. Thank you to everyone involved.”

Vaughan Gething

Vaughan Gething

The Vale’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, Cllr Gray, believes it’s positive that the Vale has gotten through the first four JCVI priority groups and are now vaccinating people in their 60s.

Cllr Gray said: “Thank you to all the medical professionals, volunteers, care home staff, and everyone helping to protect us.”

He reiterated the importance of continuing to follow coronavirus regulations to avoid undoing the hard work.

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Chief whip, Jane Hutt, has also praised the various people helping roll-out the vaccination.

Vale MS, Jane Hutt

Vale MS, Jane Hutt

Ms Hutt said: “Thank you to all of the teams who have helped accomplish this including staff at the mass vaccination centre in Barry and in GP surgeries across the Vale of Glamorgan.

“Thanks to our brilliant teams, we’re quickly moving through priority groups.

“The Welsh Government has confirmed all eligible adults in Wales will be offered the vaccine by July 31, if supply allows.”

A spokesman for Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board confirmed that they are anticipating an increase in supply of the vaccine and they hope to deliver more vaccinations from next week.

Vale MP Alun Cairns is also pleased with the vaccination progress in Barry and the Vale.

Vale MP, Alun Cairns

Vale MP, Alun Cairns

Mr Cairns said: “I want to pay huge tribute to the NHS staff, volunteers and all those involved at the Barry Covid-19 vaccination centre for their continued hard work over the past few weeks.

“We are all so grateful and appreciative of their efforts.

“They are out working hard, seven days a week and not always in the sunny weather that we have had recently. On the day they opened it was freezing cold, but their spirits remained high.

“I am continuing to push the Welsh Government to open another vaccination centre in the Western Vale in order to both make the vaccine more accessible but also to alleviate the pressure on the Barry centre.”

There are currently three mass vaccination centres in Cardiff and the Vale: the one in Barry, along with one in Splott and one in Pentwyn.