People in Wales will begin receiving the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine from Monday, health minister Vaughan Gething has told the Welsh Parliament.

Mr Gething said more than 30,000 people are estimated to have received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Wales since it was approved earlier in December.

“Today, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been given the go-ahead by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and its rollout across Wales and the rest of the UK will start next week, from Monday,” Mr Gething said.

“It will arrive in small quantities initially, with more of our population-based allocation arriving each week.”

Mr Gething said the vaccine being stored at “normal vaccine fridge temperatures” meant it was easier to use in community settings such as care homes and primary care.

He told the Senedd: “This is excellent news for our response to the pandemic, and our NHS plans are in place to ensure Wales has the capacity, systems and staff to increase vaccination activity.”

But Mr Gething warned the effects of the vaccines may not be seen nationally “for many months” and urged people to continue follow advice to limit the spread of Covid-19.