By Jack Sargeant, MS for Alyn and Deeside

As many of you may have seen on these pages over recent weeks, I have been doing everything I can to "Get Flintshire Vaccinated".

I have been regularly meeting with the health board to discuss getting more GPs on board and it is great news that every surgery in North Wales wants to help and that over 50% are already delivering the vaccine. I am working hard to ensure that the same happens with pharmacies, having met with Community Pharmacy Wales, the group that represents over 600 pharmacies in Wales and the health board. I welcome the news that this is now happening but to provide my own impetuous I have written to pharmacies in Alyn and Deeside.

Some of you will also be aware that I have been seeking answers from the UK Government about the disruption in vaccine supply from them, with Wales not receiving the full supply it was promised this week. This has led to supply issues for GPs in our area and I made it a priority to get this addressed. I was grateful for the news via the First Minister this week that we now have a commitment from the UK Government to make good that supply.

Last week I visited the Deeside Rainbow Hospital to see for myself that all was well, and I was blown away by the speed and commitment, that day alone 700 were vaccinated at that site. I have put a call out for former health care professionals to help with the vaccination programme if you can help please email BCUHB.PublicVolunteers@wales.nhs.uk. I know that some have raised issues with process, and I have been working with individuals who have encountered problems.

I know residents are looking for updates on the vaccination programme and I would urge residents to keep turning to the pages of the Leader and my Facebook page as well as the Welsh and UK Governments and Betsi Cadwaladr Health Boards website. I have been updating my pages with information daily.

Following the completion of this column I will be speaking to the heath board about the role dentists can play in delivering the vaccine.

This has been a tough year but the way we react is important, I have chosen to focus my efforts on working to assist in any way I can to ensure the programme continues to gain momentum. It is heartening to see that North Wales leads the way on number of vaccines administered but there is still more to do.

If you need my help or if I can assist in any way please get in contact by calling 01244 823547 or emailing Jack.Sargeant@Senedd.Wales

Let's get Flintshire vaccinated.