COVID-19 Vaccination

2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd on 12 October 2022.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour

(Translated)

8. Will the Minister provide an update on the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination programme? OQ58516

Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 2:55, 12 October 2022

As of 11 October, a total of 363,000 COVID-19 vaccination boosters have been administered in Wales. The programme is on track for all eligible people to receive an invitation for their booster by 30 November, in line with the commitment given in our winter respiratory vaccination strategy, which was published on 15 July.

Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:56, 12 October 2022

Thank you, Minister. That's excellent news. The vaccine, of course, is the most effective way to defend ourselves against COVID, and, in order to live with the virus, it's incumbent on us all to accept the jab when it's available to us. It's also vital that the roll-out of the programme continues in the most efficient and equitable way. Are you confident that people are able to have the vaccine in a consistent time frame across all communities and for each age group in Wales?

Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour

Thanks very much. Well, we are talking about trying to get this booster to 1.6 million eligible people in Wales. That's being delivered through 400 vaccination sites, so I think that does give you the coverage that should allow people to take up that opportunity. As I say, our target is to get to a 75 per cent uptake of that cohort, and so far we're on track. So, we're getting to it. I'm slightly concerned that we're not getting the response from health and care workers that I had hoped we'd get, so I would encourage people to try and encourage those health and care workers in particular to take up that opportunity, in addition, of course, to vulnerable people, and to come forward if it's offered. I know that, in Clwyd South, for example, 34 per cent of the people eligible have already had their vaccinations. 

Photo of Cefin Campbell Cefin Campbell Plaid Cymru

(Translated)

Thank you very much. Last week, Minister—

Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru

(Translated)

The question on the order paper, please, again.

Photo of Cefin Campbell Cefin Campbell Plaid Cymru

(Translated)

Sorry, I skipped ahead.

Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru

It's a catching habit.