Wales paying the price for lack of vaccine preparedness

During First Minister’s Question’s today (January 19), Paul Davies MS – the Leader of the Opposition in the Welsh Parliament questioned the readiness of the Welsh Government for the deployment of a Covid vaccine.

Mr Davies referred to minutes of six Welsh Government Cabinet meetings that details topics of discussion as diverse as transport strategy, the Building Safety White Paper, and broadening the role of firefighters – but not a Covid vaccine strategy.

Speaking later, Mr Davies said:

“This is another case in just two days where ‘bewildering’ is the only appropriate word to describe the action, or inaction, of the Welsh Government.

“Yesterday, it was the BMA that said the First Minster’s comments on holding back stocks of the vaccine were bewildering; today, its Welsh Conservative reaction to an almost negligent lack of preparedness two months ago for the rollout of the Covid vaccine.

“The Pfizer vaccine was certified for use in early November 2020, yet nowhere is a programme of vaccination even referred to in Cabinet papers. Clearly, we in Wales now are paying the price for the Welsh Government’s inertia, dithering, and delay in November. Lives, and livelihoods, are at stake now as much as ever, and the First Minister must ensure that the vaccination programme makes up for lost time.”