Diolch, Llywydd. I'd also like to congratulate the Minister on her new appointment.

8. Will the Minister provide an update on COVID-19 vaccine uptake rates? OQ56542

Well, thank you very much. Congratulations to Buffy, and welcome to the Senedd.

The take-up so far has been incredibly high, with over 85 per cent of the adult population having taken up their offer of a first dose. But it's vitally important that vaccine take-up levels are maximised, and we're closely monitoring to make sure that there are no barriers to take-up.

Thank you, Minister. In my constituency, Rhondda, the majority of residents are attending their vaccine appointments, which is amazing news, but we have a higher than average number of no-shows, for a variety of reasons. I know Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board are working with residents across our communities to delve into these reasons, trying to find them solutions. So, working with health boards across Wales, what plans does the Welsh Government have to increase vaccine uptake rates in challenging areas?

Thanks very much, and I know, Buffy, you will be a champion for your area, and you will know that it's very important for people in your area to take up that opportunity. The last thing we want to see are those disparities, in particular in perhaps the more challenging places economically. We don't want to see those being emphasised because of a low take-up of the vaccine. So, you're absolutely right, the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board—they're taking very much a community-led and co-production approach to improving access, and I know that a task and finish group has been set up to address the gap in 40 to 49-year-olds in particular. That seems to be a place where there seems to be a problem. And I'm very pleased that a 'vaxi taxi' has been developed in the area to improve also access for black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. There's also an opportunity for people to use an online form so that they can change the date and time of their appointments if that's necessary. So, there's some great work being done, but if you could help us with trying to bang the drum in that area to get people to come forward for their vaccines, that would be a huge help.

Thank you, Minister, and the deputies.