First Minister Mark Drakeford has praised the people behind Wales’ world-leading vaccination programme as it is revealed that all over-18s will be offered a coronavirus vaccine by the start of next week.

Wales expects to reach 75 per cent take-up for first jabs across all priority groups and age groups a month ahead of target – the original milestone was the end of July – as the nation’s vaccination programme continues to go from strength to strength.

Now, the Welsh Government has confirmed that the focus will move to maximising vaccine coverage for all by ensuring everyone is offered a second dose by the end of September and that no one is left behind.

To date, 2.18 million people, or 86 per cent of the adult population in Wales, have had a first dose and almost 1.25 million people have had a second dose.  

Drakeford said: “I am very proud to say that Wales has one of the best Covid vaccination programmes in the world. We will make the offer of vaccination to all eligible adults six weeks ahead of schedule and we expect to reach 75 per cent take-up across all priority groups and age groups a month ahead of target.

“This is a remarkable achievement and a tribute to the hard work of all those involved in the programme – to all those doing the complex work of planning behind the scenes and to the thousands of people vaccinating and helping to run the clinics across the country. You are doing a fantastic job. I am incredibly proud and thankful for everything you are doing to help protect Wales from this awful virus.”