Every resident and staff member in care homes across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan has received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

This milestone has been reached 23 days after Cardiff and Vale University Health Board started their vaccination programme for care homes.

A total of 3,485 employees and 1,609 residents received their first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Health Board's Mobile Vaccination teams visited 123 homes across both counties to administer the vaccine for this priority cohort, in line with the guidance from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Fiona Kinghorn, Executive Director of Public Health at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: "To have vaccinated all of our care home staff and residents so quickly since we started this programme on 6th January is testament to the hard work and meticulous planning from our teams.

"When we first set out to vaccinate all of our care home staff and residents who fall under the top four priority groups, we set ourselves a target of the end of January. I'm pleased to say we have achieved this and extend my thanks to all of the care homes who have co-operated and kept in regular communication with us to keep the process as fluid and efficient as possible."

There are some further sessions scheduled over the next few weeks for a small number of residents or staff who were unable to receive the vaccination due to an outbreak situation, where the vaccination cannot be given until 28 days post positive Covid-19 result.

The Health Board will be following up with the care homes to ensure the residents and staff receive their second dose eight weeks after their first doses were given.

Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Well-being, Cllr Susan Elsmore said: "I am delighted that all of our older people's care homes have now received the first dose of the vaccine, a milestone that provides hope and optimism to some of Cardiff's most vulnerable citizens. For them, their families, and the dedicated workforce who look after them, this is the first step to regaining some of the normality we enjoyed before the pandemic.

"Ensuring the safety of all care home residents and staff has been a priority throughout COVID-19, and we have worked closely with Public Health Wales to make sure that residents receive their vaccinations as quickly and as safely as possible."

Cllr Ben Gray, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: "This is a significant moment for the Vale of Glamorgan. The completion of the vaccine rollout to care homes means that this very vulnerable group within our community have now been protected against the worst dangers of Covid-19.

"The pandemic has had a huge impact of the lives of those living in residential care homes. The tireless and selfless efforts of care staff have been instrumental in ensuring residents still enjoy the best possible quality of life and I am delighted that these most important of key workers have also all now received their first dose.

"The rollout of the vaccine marks the start of a return to normality that I know so many people long for. I'd also like to express my thanks to CAVUHB's immunisation team for the phenomenal effort that has made this possible in such a short space of time."