By Hannah Blythyn

MS for Delyn

The Welsh Government announced last week that the vaccination programme is continuing to expand and new measures being introduced to help prevent further spread of the virus. Betsi Cadwaladr began their booster programme on Friday by administering jabs to healthcare staff across the region. Invitations will be sent out to those who are eligible for a booster, replicating the eligibility criteria from the initial vaccination programme. There is no need to contact the health board or your GP for an appointment, as these are being sent automatically.

The Health Minister also confirmed that following advice from the Chief Medical Officers that 12-15 year olds will be offered vaccines, to protect them from the potential long term damage coronavirus could cause them. Betsi Cadwaladr will be writing to all parents and carers, as no booking system will be available. This will of course continue to be a personal choice for each young person, and I would encourage parents and carers to speak about the vaccine with their children.

Following the three weekly review on Friday, the First Minister confirmed that Wales will continue to remain at Alert Level Zero for the next three weeks, and from mid-October vaccine passports will be required for large events and gatherings. This is a decision which has long been considered by the Welsh Government and advice suggests that introducing the passports will help reduce the levels of coronavirus being spread.

If any Leader readers have any questions, then please get in touch with me on 01352 762102 or email me at Hannah.Blythyn@senedd.wales.

Over the weekend I had the privilege of representing the Welsh Government at Westminster Abbey, at a service to commemorate the Battle of Britain, alongside senior members of the RAF, the Royal Family and the UK Government. It has always been vitally important to me that we support our armed forces community, both past and present, and it was also a pleasure to represent the Welsh Government at the Welsh Veterans’ Awards a few weeks ago as well as officially opening an exhibition dedicated to commemorating the role of the Welsh ‘few’ and Welsh communities in the Battle of Britain.

This week includes a busy diary of ministerial engagements, but also a number of events across the constituency which I am looking forward to attending.

In particular this week I want to wish the very best of luck to any Leader reader who is organising a Macmillan Coffee morning, in aid of all of the amazing which work they do all across the UK. The fundraising supports Macmillan staff to offer a variety of services to those diagnosed with cancer, as well as their loved ones. If you want to find out more about Macmillan and the work they do, then please visit their website – www.coffee.macmillan.org.uk