Back to "the way things were last summer" - First Minister's hopes for Wales

The Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has been spelling out his hopes for the near future, as we learned today that 715,944 people in Wales have now received their first dose of the Coronavirus vaccine:

"What I would like us to get back to in Wales, and more quickly than we were able to last year is the way things were last summer. So last summer we were still social distancing, we were still being asked to wear masks on public transport in crowded places.

"But we were able to travel, we could go to restaurants, people could go on holiday."

Mark Drakeford used today's lunchtime briefing to pay tribute to the people who have played a part in the vaccination roll-out here.

He said he was "incredibly proud" that the country's reached its target to offer all four priority groups a first coronavirus vaccine dose.

More than 715-thousand have had an initial jab.

"This has been a phenomenal effort. And its thanks to the hard work of the thousands of NHS staff, volunteers and military personnel across Wales who have been vaccinating people every day of the week."

The Clinical Lead for the vaccination programme in Wales described the logistical effort involved.

Dr Sally Lewis said a "huge collaboration" had meant Wales is set to be the first UK nation to reach the milestone of vaccinating the first four priority groups by the middle of February:

"When we see vaccination on the TV, most people see the vaccine going into a person's arm. But actually to get to that point requires a huge number of people.

"In planning, to match the provision and delivery of the vaccine with the supply we have, which as you know has been variable at times. The administration tasks are huge, and often at very short notice."

Mr Drakeford said the next part of the roll-out would target those between 50 and 69 years-old, those over 16 with underlying health condition and unpaid carers, who its hoped will be vaccinated by spring.