Local health bosses are planning to roll out the coronavirus vaccine in a therapy centre in Splott and two leisure centres in Pentwyn and Barry.

The three mass vaccination centres are expected to open in the middle of December, seven days a week. Mobile vaccination teams will also visit places like care homes to deliver the vaccine.

Around 265,000 people in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan will take priority and get vaccinated first, and each will likely need two doses given 28 days apart.

Details of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's mass vaccination plan were recently revealed in a report to a board meeting that will take place on Thursday, November 26.

The health board is planning to set up the mass vaccination centres in Holm View Leisure Centre in Barry, Pentwyn Leisure Centre in north Cardiff, and the Cardiff and Vale Therapy Centre in Splott.

The Splott centre will have 20 vaccine stations, while the Barry and Pentwyn centres will each have 10. The centres will likely open from 8.30am until 7.30pm, while the mobile team will work from 9am to 5pm to reach more vulnerable people, like those in care homes.

Testing for Covid-19 will carry on at the Splott centre, which will also house staff booking appointments for vaccinations.

The report stated: "The long term response to the Covid-19 pandemic requires a safe and effective vaccine to be available to all who need it.

"The vaccination programme in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, as per the rest of Wales, is planned to be delivered over nine to 12 months, starting from mid-December 2020, when the first delivery of vaccines is expected.

"The delivery of a mass vaccination programme for Cardiff and the Vale will be a significant undertaking and will require substantial resources in order to achieve the level of vaccination that is needed."

Challenges include recruiting enough staff, getting an IT system in place, and preventing people not turning up to appointments. The report warned 'Did Not Attends' could mean wasting some vaccines.

Care home residents and staff will be given the first priority, followed by people aged 80 or older and health and social care workers. Then priority will be given to people aged 75 to 79; then 70 to 74; and then 65 to 69.

Adults younger than 65 but at high or moderate risk will be vaccinated next. Priority will then be given to those aged 60 to 64; then 55 to 59; and then 50 to 54. What order the rest of the population will get the vaccine hasn't been decided yet.

The health board is expecting the costs of the vaccine to be paid by the UK Government or the Welsh Government.

Fiona Kinghorn, executive director of public health at Cardiff and Vale UHB, said: "A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to identify suitable venues, recruit staff, set up a booking line and implement processes for the storage and transportation of the vaccination to get us ready to protect the population of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

"While the vaccination programme will take time, it is important we all still adhere to the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance and ensure we are social distancing, washing our hands regularly and wearing face coverings in public places to limit the spread of the virus."

Other leisure centres nearby will be available for Pentwyn residents to use while the mass vaccination centres are needed, according to Councillor Peter Bradbury, Cardiff's cabinet member for culture and leisure.

He said: "The health board has selected both these venues which it feels have the necessary facilities, and are ideally placed in the city to help it roll out its vaccination programme.

"Registered centre users will continue to be able to access other Better Cardiff facilities, but we know this will be an inconvenience for residents who use Pentwyn Leisure Centre, which has been closed to the public throughout the pandemic.

"However, I want to reassure those residents that when this is all over, and the NHS no longer need the building, there will still be a leisure facility in Pentwyn."

In the meantime, the council is considering investing in the Pentwyn Leisure Centre, like expanding the gym and improving the outdoor pitches, Cllr Bradbury said.