4. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on COVID-19 Vaccinations

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:53 pm on 9 February 2021.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 4:53, 9 February 2021

Minister, can I commend Dr Sarah Medlicott of Bron-y-Garn surgery and other GPs who contacted me over a week ago expressing their desire to begin vaccinations of a relatively small group of front-line police medics, who are at higher risk of exposure to the virus in a very specialised line of work? As you know, Minister, we hit a frustrating problem immediately in that the JCVI did not, at that point last week, include police medics in their top priorities. Minister, can I thank you and your officials and your advisers for the work you've done to advocate for the inclusion of police medics in the priority 2 group, which, of course, includes front-line health and social care workers? Could I ask you, Minister, for an update on this so that Dr Medlicott and fellow GPs can get on now with vaccinating police medics across the Bridgend and Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area, but also, so that all health boards in Wales ensure that police medics are now recognised as front-line healthcare workers and can be rapidly vaccinated as part of priority group 2? And finally, Minister, can I just say well done to team Wales and NHS Wales, including medical staff and volunteers, for the success with the vaccine roll-out? It's been one heck of an effort, and I've seen it first-hand. I commend them all.