Written question WQ84727
- Asked by
- Darren MillarConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to offering a fourth COVID-19 vaccination to diabetes patients?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), has recently recommended an additional spring booster dose for what it considers to be the most vulnerable individuals in society, based on its consideration of all the available evidence. This includes people over 75 years old, care home residents for older adults and individuals aged over 12 years who are immunosuppressed (as defined in in the Green Book). I have accepted this advice.
More broadly, the JCVI has signalled an autumn 2022 programme of vaccinations for people who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19, such as those of older age and in wider clinical risk groups. The Green Book defines clinical risk groups and includes individuals with diabetes.
We are working with health boards to plan for some of the more likely scenarios further into autumn and winter 2022-23. Precise details of an autumn programme will be made once I receive and have considered the JCVI advice.