The COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:41 pm on 22 March 2022.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 1:41, 22 March 2022

(Translated)

I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth. The situation that we're facing during this week is challenging, isn't it? Of course, we want to make progress with the plan that we put in place some weeks ago, but the context is changing. And that's why the Cabinet has decided to wait until Thursday for the latest figures and for the latest advice from the chief medical officer, and so on, to help us to make these difficult decisions. It's possible to think of a future where we could move on with certain things whilst retaining others in order to respond to the situation that's arising now. We've all heard of people who can't work and the impact that that has on public services, but also on private business too. 

In terms of vulnerable people, the chief medical officer wrote to everyone on the list some weeks ago setting out the latest position. The best thing that we can all do to help people who are anxious about going out after a long period, and who are now hearing about what's happening, is to continue to do those things that we've all learnt to do: to use face coverings, to keep a social distance, to respect others. If vulnerable people feel that others are doing what they can, then I think that that's the best assistance we can provide in order to give them confidence to start socialising again and to do those everyday things that are important to them.