This year the NHS in Wales will be extending the offer of flu vaccination to those aged 50-64 years of age.

Additional vaccine supplies have been ordered for this purpose by the UK Government, but please note that these will not start to arrive in Powys from central stores until late November.

Please also be aware that the vaccines will be supplied on a phased basis, and that pre-existing eligible groups will be prioritised for vaccine use in the first instance.

What this means is that vaccine is not yet available on the NHS from either GP surgeries or community pharmacies and, when it is available, it is likely to be administered over a period of weeks focusing on current eligible groups and then on an age-based approach, i.e. starting with those aged 60-64yrs first.

Exact details of how people aged 50-64yrs will be invited for vaccination and where vaccination will take place will be made available nearer the time, but in the meantime, please DO NOT contact your GP for a flu vaccine if you are in this age group as vaccine is not available.

This does not apply if you are already eligible for flu vaccination as someone who is in a pre-existing at risk category, and you will be contacted by your GP surgery to arrange vaccination as per usual.

More information will be released by Powys Teaching Health Board via social media, the Health Board website, and your GP website about vaccination for 50-64yr olds in the next few weeks as arrangements are confirmed.