THE shielding community in Wales can take comfort knowing they are a ‘top priority’ when it comes to vaccinations, the First Minister has said.

Shielding was a measure brought in last March to protect the extremely, clinically vulnerable from the risks of COVID-19.

Previous messages from Welsh Government held off from reinstating shielding after it was paused back in August when virus cases seemed to shrink.

Ministers previously had to weigh up the added risks that came with shielding, such as mental health and loneliness, to the benefits of protecting the population against coronavirus.

It was brought back into effect this December once the new strain of the virus got its grip on Wales. Those who were deemed to be at high risk were asked to stay at home and once again limit contact.

Speaking to the Leader by video conference, First Minister Mark Drakeford explained that vaccines being offered to vulnerable community members offered a degree of ‘hope’.

He said: “The greatest help to those who are shielding is that they are the very top priority groups for vaccination. These are people who across North Wales will, we hope, very largely have been vaccinated by the end of January and certainly into the beginning of February.

“That is the biggest help for them, to know the vaccination is coming fastest of all.”

Mr Drakeford also added that it is also helpful advice to get out there from the chief medical officer that people can continue making decisions “in their own context” if they feel able and safe to do so.

The Labour MS added: “It’s not as it was back in March when it was a blanket ban on people leaving their homes. They could not go out to shop for food or collect medicines previously

“People who are shielding who can now do that can if they choose to and if their household circumstances support that.”

The Welsh Government leader also took a moment to praise the work done by local councils to support those left without people they can rely on because of shielding concerns.

He said: “Local authorities continue to do a fantastic job for those on the shielding list who don’t have family, friends they can rely on. We’ve also had a fantastic number of volunteers come forward in Wales and that number continues to grow still every week.”