Dirprwy Lywydd, vaccination is our best defence against this awful virus, especially when combined with all the other measures we can take to protect ourselves. We continue to encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the offer of vaccination and the booster. We are implementing the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to offer a second dose of the vaccine to young people between the ages of 16 and 17 years. And we will also be extending the booster programme to people aged 40 to 49.

Our vaccination programme is now offering first doses to everyone aged 12 and over on the principle that no one is left behind, second doses for everyone eligible, including young people between the ages of 16 and 17, a third primary dose to people who are severely immunosuppressed, and booster doses for eligible groups, including people between the ages of 40 and 49. To date, 90 per cent of eligible adults have had a first dose of the vaccine and 82 per cent have had a second dose. More than 725,000 booster doses have been given so far, with 71 per cent of all front-line healthcare staff, three quarters of people over 80, and 78 per cent of eligible care home residents having received the booster.

Dirprwy Lywydd, the signs from the continent are not good. A new wave of coronavirus is once again sweeping across Europe, and countries all around us are tightening their restrictions. None of us wants to see restrictions back in place in Wales at Christmas, but neither do we want to see people falling ill with COVID at Christmas. This three-week cycle is vital. We need everyone’s help and support to keep the virus under control as we start looking ahead and planning for Christmas.

We will continue to do everything we can through our fantastic vaccination and booster programme; regular testing in schools and putting other protective measures in place to keep the virus out of schools; using the COVID pass in certain settings; self-isolating if someone we live with has COVID-19; and taking all the simple steps that keep us all safe, such as regular hand washing, wearing face masks, and keeping social distance wherever possible. 

The decline in rates since the last review is very positive, but there's still more we need to do. Let’s work together and let's keep Wales safe. Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd.