THE MS for Clwyd West has called for religious leaders to be given priority access to Covid vaccinations due to their role in the provision of care.

Darren Millar believes ministers of religious and celebrants should be among the key workers prioritised for vaccines as they carry out crucial work including pastoral care, spiritual care and funerals.

The politician, who acknowledged that the most vulnerable in society need to be the highest priority for receiving the vaccine, has tabled a written question to the Welsh Government asking what consideration this has been given. 

He said: “Ministers of religion and celebrants carry out vitally important work in the communities they serve but have been severely hampered as a result of the pandemic.

“They have been unable to visit sick people in hospital or parishioners in care homes for the great majority of 2020 and as a result many people have been unable to receive the comfort and spiritual support they have needed.

“They have also been unable to visit homes following bereavements to discuss funerals and provide support to those who have lost loved ones to Covid and other illnesses.”

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is carrying out a mass vaccination programme at 19 centres across North Wales.

People aged over 80 in hospital, frontline health staff and care home workers have been the first to get the jabs.

Other high priority groups include care home residents, people with underlying health conditions and those aged from 80 to 50-years-old, who are thought to represent 90-99 per cent of people at risk from Covid-19.

Mr Millar added: “Given the horrific situations people are facing due to the pandemic, their help has never been needed more and I therefore urge the Welsh Government to consider this as the vaccine rollout is ramped up across the country.”