Britain, in line with Israel and Germany are considering fourth-generation Covid vaccines. This is to stem the Omicron surge.
Experts on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, (JCVI), are currently analyzing whether a second group of boosters should be rolled out.
They will weigh up the levels of immunity granted by the extra jab as well as hospitalisation figures, The Telegraph reported.
A fourth job is already available to those with compromised immune systems, however the elderly or other vulnerable people could soon have this opportunity.
If it is given the go-ahead, the fourth shot would be four months later than the first. It could also occur in the New Year.
Israel declared today that citizens older than 60 and doctors will be eligible for the fourth Covid vaccine shot.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tweeted, “The world will follow our steps.”
Bennett has been trying to get more Israelis involved in vaccines and he welcomed the announcement as “great news” that could help them overcome the Omicron virus that’s spreading throughout the world.
Omicron was quickly blocked by the Israeli government.
A hospital in Israel reported Tuesday the first death from Omicron infection. The statement was amended to state that a laboratory had confirmed his diagnosis.
Soroka Medical Center reported that the man was in his 60s with severe pre-existing conditions and died Monday. This happened two weeks after he had been admitted to COVID-19.
Germany warned Karl Lauterbach, the health minister of Germany (pictured), that the fourth Covid vaccine was needed to stop spread of Omicron’s contagious variant.
According to the Health Ministry, there are at most 340 Omicron cases in Israel as per Tuesday.
Germany ordered millions more doses of the new medication after Karl Lauterbach, Germany’s health minister, warned that a fourth dose was necessary in order to combat the strain.
Lauterbach has pledged his support for a mandate to develop vaccines. He has placed orders for 80 million doses of the Biontech vaccine that targets Omicron. It should be available in Germany by May.
He has also ordered 4million doses of the newly approved vaccine Novavax – seen as more acceptable to vaccine sceptics – and 11million doses of the new Valneva shot, which is waiting for marketing authorisation.
It comes as Boris Johnson won’t announce any post-Christmas Covid adjustments until December 25, after Omicron was found to be milder than Delta and much less likely to result in hospitalisation. – but hospitality bosses are pleading for clarity over plans for New Year’s Eve.
Boris Johnson will wait until after December 25 to announce any post-Christmas Covid changes, after studies showed Omicron is milder and far less likely to cause hospitalisation than Delta
The Omicron variant has caused weeks of chaos and venues want to be able to trade on the crucial trading day.
Sources say that the Government won’t make announcements about further measures in this week. This means venues may only be able to get clarification at the very last moment.
Nightclubs can make up to a tenth their annual profits New Year’s Eve. Lockdown measures may lead to more bars, restaurants and pubs in financial trouble. Wales bans large New Year’s Eve celebrations, and says nightclubs should close. Rules in Scotland restrict alcohol consumption to tables only starting December 27, which has hampered hospitality.
The concerns come after senior SAGE scientist Neil Ferguson — who just last week warned there could be up to 5,000 daily Omicron deaths in the UK — said the country’s fourth wave will be ‘nothing like what we seen last year, with ICUs overflowing with patients’ on the back of the new findings.
Research at Imperial College London has shown that Omicron can cause hospitalisation up to 10% less in people who have never had Covid vaccinated. Hospitalisation is up to 20 per cent less likely in the general population — including those who have been infected or vaccinated — and 45 per cent less likely for at least a night
University of Edinburgh researchers discovered that Omicron had a 65 percent lower risk of hospitalisation than Delta. Graph: Omicron and Delta hospitalization rates in Scotland.
The Imperial College London team found that Omicron-eligible Britons are 15 to 20% less likely than Delta-eligible Britons.
But the real-world analysis, of more than 300,000 people between December 1 and 14, found the chance of having to stay in the NHS overnight was even lower, with a reduced risk of between 40 and 45 per cent.
The findings are believed to have been the reason Mr Johnson pumped the brakes on tougher Christmas restrictions despite case numbers rising to record levels — with 106,122 positive tests recorded today.
But uncertainty remains over the last few days of the year, with Greater Manchester’s night time economy advisor Sacha Lord saying it is critical the Government announces a decision for England as quickly as possible.
While he lauded the Prime Minister for acknowledging the value of the hospitality industry, he said that it was ‘in limbo with restrictions hanging overhead.
Lord stated that every operator would like to be able to work. However, responsible operators insist safety must come first. No matter how many planning they do for New Year’s Eve, the moment they are certain of what they are doing, there will be no dithering like in the past few weeks. They must leave with complete clarity, certainty, and direction.