Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:28 pm on 9 February 2021.
Thank you, Minister, for your statement this afternoon, and I too want to join in putting thanks on the record to all of the teams of vaccinators, and everyone concerned with the roll-outs across the whole of Wales. The numbers have gathered pace week in, week out now, and it's pleasing to see progress being made on the targets that were set by the Welsh Government early on in the campaign. And the point that you make about 60 days since the start of the vaccination programme clearly shows how right and proper it was that the UK Government went alone and purchased vaccines early, to allow us to get onto the field of play and start vaccinating people across the whole of the United Kingdom, but in particular here in Wales.
I'd like to ask a series of questions, if I may, Minister. Are you able to update us on the work that's going on with the black, Asian and minority ethnic community? I raised this issue about hesitancy about taking the vaccine up in certain communities across Wales, based on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies evidence that indicated a 70 per cent to 75 per cent reticence from certain communities about engaging with the vaccination programme. It's really important that any misunderstandings or false stories that are put out there are stamped on very early, and I'd be grateful if you could enlighten us with more information following me raising this with you when I was the health spokesman for the Conservative group a month ago.
Could you also highlight what progress is being made in particular with the second dose of vaccines, vaccination, and informing people of the call-back for the second dose of vaccines, because come March that will be a big part of the programme and it's important that the two run side by side without any disruption? I hope you'll agree with that, Minister.
Could you also identify the advice that is being given from Welsh Government in relation to the 70 to 74-year-old cohort? I certainly have evidence that that cohort are being directed to the mass vaccination centres rather than, obviously, having the vaccine in the GP surgeries, and when the GP surgeries are challenged on this point, they say it's due to advice that's come down from Welsh Government to direct people to the mass vaccination centres. So, I'd be grateful to understand how that advice has been distributed, because certainly for individuals who have been shielding in that cohort—. I have constituents who've raised problems in relation to the referral that they've had to undertake.
In particular, you'll be aware of the campaign regarding children with learning disabilities and in particular about trying to get prioritisation for the vaccine for those who are responsible for caring for children with learning disabilities. I appreciate the First Minister did touch on this, and the evidence that the Minister and the Government work to is the recommendations from the JCVI, but have you made any referrals back to the committee to seek clarification on the evidence that they've given you and the advice that they've given you in relation to the groupings, in particular when we talk about learning disabilities and in particular how they're more prone by six times to be susceptible to the virus? I think that's an important consideration when considering the advice they're giving.
Can you also confirm that there will be no interruption in supplies whatsoever because the supply base has now resumed because of the Pfizer maintenance that went down a couple of weeks ago? Your understanding would greatly enlighten people's views as to any possible supply problems that might be in the system, because I have a letter here from a GP surgery that indicated that they'd been told that there might be a pause in the supply of vaccines the week commencing 15 February. I'm not asking you to comment specifically on that particular matter, but I'd be grateful to understand the more general issue around the supply of vaccine into Wales. Thank you, health Minister.