North Wales MS Mark Isherwood is calling for clarity over the availability of Covid-19 vaccines for extremely clinically vulnerable young people after the First Minister said this week that they are already available.
Mark Drakeford made the claim when being questioned in the Senedd on Wednesday by Mr Isherwood on the roll out of the vaccine for children.
However, Mr Isherwood has described the First Minister’s response as “odd” given that Health Charities have been asking whether these young people can be prioritised when the vaccine is made available to children.
Questioning the First Minister, Mr Isherwood said:
“Your written statement last Friday referred to your Vaccination Programme.
“You stated yesterday that it was likely the Welsh Government would want to roll out jabs for children if licences were granted.
“What plans do you therefore have to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to those under 16 years old as rates of the Indian variant increase across the UK - and to prioritise clinically extremely vulnerable young people?”
The First Minister replied:
“Children who are extremely clinically vulnerable are already receiving vaccination in Wales down to the age of 12. We won't be offering vaccination to children until there is a licensed vaccine to do so.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Isherwood said:
“The First Minister’s overarching statement that ‘children who are extremely clinically vulnerable are already receiving vaccination in Wales down to the age of 12’ seems odd, when Health Charities have told me this week that they would like to establish if people under 16 with conditions like cystic fibrosis will be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccination if the Welsh Government decides to move to vaccinating younger groups as variants of concern rise in Wales.”