Clear and open details simply must be given on vaccine deployment

NOW that we know there are two vaccines that can protect people from Covid-19, there is hope that the health pandemic can be under control a few months from now.

At this precise moment, people simply want to know when they themselves or their loved ones might receive the vaccine.

Now more than ever there needs to be maximum transparency to build trust and so that people have information about the vaccine deployment programme.

That openness and clarity need to come from the Health Minister at Welsh Government and from the local health boards.

On Friday I attended a meeting with Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board officials who are organising the deployment of the vaccine and conveyed concerns on behalf of local people about the pace, transparency and communication of the vaccination programme in our area.

I’m getting individual queries from people in the priority lists, particularly the over eighties group who live in the community. They are seeking information about the next steps.

They have been told not to contact GP practices but want clarity.

Will they be told that an appointment is on its way?

Who will let them know? What if they feel they’ve been missed out and so on.

There are also concerns about the most vulnerable people in our communities – people with disabilities and hearing problems for example.

How will they be reached and what support will be given to enable them to receive a timely vaccination?

People in Arfon are also concerned that they may have to travel to the Llandudno vaccination centre. Again urgent clarity is needed as I understand there will be centres in the Arfon area.

I was told that the health board has from last week an increased availability of vaccines as well as more staff and vaccination sites and we all hope that the situation will now improve.

On a national level, Plaid Cymru is calling for a dashboard of information that would allow the public to track progress for themselves, including volume of doses delivered and administered by health board and by priority group. That would go far in helping to restore public trust.

I’m also being contacted by people who want to help with deploying the vaccine programme – from volunteers to community pharmacies who are all eager to get involved.

Expanding the pace and scale of vaccination is essential to ensure success as we see the light at the end of this very long, dark tunnel.