February 02, 2022 - 686 views
Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has urged the Welsh Health Minister to update the Covid Pass system to include third vaccinations for those shielding after being contacted by constituents who are unable to travel overseas because their third jabs are not showing on the record.
In recent weeks Darren has received emails and calls from residents who are frustrated by the situation.
He first raised the matter two weeks ago in a written question to the Health Minister asking her to “make a statement on when patients in receipt of third doses of COVID-19 vaccinations, as opposed to booster doses, will be able to evidence these via the NHS Covid Pass system.”
In her response the Minister said “third doses are not being displayed as such in the NHS COVID Pass”, but that “we are working to develop the functionality to allow this, we expect to give an update on resolution later this month”.
Speaking in yesterday’s Business Statement in a meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Darren raised the issue again.
He said: “Can I call for a statement on updates to the NHS COVID pass system, please? I've been contacted by a number of constituents in recent weeks, and I'm sure other Members across this Chamber have too, who had third jabs for the extremely vulnerable, as opposed to booster jabs, and, as a result of that, they're unable to access evidence of those third jabs on the NHS COVID pass system.
“That is causing them problems, especially when they want to undertake international travel. I think it is important that that system is updated as soon as possible, and it would be welcome if we were able to get a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services to confirm that that will be the case.”
In her response, the Trefnydd said “we are waiting for the UK Government to decide on a change in the definition of fully vaccinated.”
Speaking after the meeting Darren added: “This shouldn’t matter, the system should be updated regardless. Those who received a third vaccination before the booster campaign kicked in, did so because they are classed as medically vulnerable. They should not be discriminated against because of this.”
