MOUNTAIN rescue teams like Aberdyfi Search and Rescue should be among those prioritised for their COVID-19 booster jabs, Plaid Cymru have said.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS, Mabon ap Gwynfor, says that mountain rescue and search-and-rescue teams are ‘blue-light emergency service responders’ and so should be prioritised for their jabs.
Search-and-rescue volunteers - who are not employed by the NHS - have not been considered for a priority vaccine booster.
Mr ap Gwynfor believes mountain rescue teams cannot operate without their volunteers, and should be fully protected.
He said: “Our mountain rescue teams are supported by volunteers. Many are employed by NHS Wales and have therefore already received the booster.
“However, a small number of volunteers are employed outside the NHS and they have not yet received this booster.
“Without a booster, they are at a real risk of catching COVID-19 by rescuing and working directly with victims each time they volunteer.
“The work of our mountain rescue teams is much more than just the mountain. It's often these heroic volunteers who support the rest of our rescue services when the weather is bad, or conditions are difficult.
“I call on NHS Wales to ensure that all blue-light emergency service responders, both volunteers and paid employees, are prioritised immediately in the current and any future roll-out of the booster vaccination.”
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