Boris Johnson issued a harsh warning to over-40s. He said booster coronavirus jabs would likely be required to allow adults without restriction or quarantine to travel. However, he refuses to rule out the possibility of a Christmas lockdown.
The Prime Minister today revealed that eight million adults over the age of 40 will be offered the third jab in a bid to reduce the risk of Covid restrictions this winter and allow passengers to travel without needing to quarantine.
Johnson warned about a Covid blizzard, as ministers failed to rule out the possibility of Europe imposing new travel restrictions due to concerns over surging numbers.
A booster should be given to all people over 40 years of age six months after the second dose. New data has shown that the booster reduces the chance of getting infected by more than 80 percent.
Since September all over-50s and the clinically vulnerable – 32million Britons in total – have been eligible for third doses. All people aged between 40 and 49 can now book their jabs starting Monday.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said: ‘If we want to control the epidemic here in the UK and if we want to avoid restrictions on our daily lives we must all get vaccinated as soon as we are eligible.’
Boris Johnson, a strong warning for over-40s has stated that booster shots will be necessary to travel free from restriction and quarantine.
Boris Johnson acknowledged today that it was possible to have a Christmas lockdown. The warning came as he warned of a’storm cloud’ of infections that were gathering in Europe. These are forcing other nations to impose restrictions. It was a reminder of how the UK can’t afford to become complacent.
Since September all over-50s and the clinically vulnerable – 32million Britons in total – have been eligible for third doses. All people aged between 40 and 49 can now book their jabs starting Monday
Johnson said that there was no Christmas lockdown, but he still pleaded for Britons’ booster jabs. The UK’s Covid cases continued their rise.
The PM — who appeared to be suffering from a cold — warned ‘storm clouds’ of infection were gathering over Europe and forcing nations back into restrictions, which highlighted how the UK ‘cannot afford to be complacent’.
He said people should get a booster if they want to ‘avoid restrictions on daily lives’, adding that it would be an ‘utter tragedy’ if double-vaccinated people died from Covid because they didn’t get one.
Johnson admitted that people may need to show proof they have had a booster shot in order to be considered “fully vaccinated” in the future. This could create chaos in Britons travel plans.
These warnings were issued as Britain reported another 39.705 coronavirus infection per day, nearly 25% more than last Monday. However, deaths and hospitalizations fell each week.
Today’s Covid victim count was 47, which is 18% less than last week. Latest hospital data showed that 976 patients were admitted on November 9, which is 7.5% more than the previous week.
At a Downing Street press conference the PM warned that older people will receive a booster jab, and those in their 40s will have to be vaccinated.
The PM was asked whether a lockdown might be needed if the number of cases continues to increase. He replied, “clearly we can’t rule anything out”, but insisted He did not see any data that indicated that he should go.
The comments came after Austria announced a draconian new lockdown on the unvaccinated, after a dramatic increase in infections, and the Netherlands imposed a curfew on pubs and restaurants to deal with rising cases.
The outbreaks in France, Germany and Italy are also on the rise. At the first Covid briefing for the month, the PM was joined by Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty, his chief scientists.
The booster vaccines were approved by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in an earlier approval. The Joint Committee on Immunization and Vaccination stated that people can come forward to receive them “with confidence that they’re safe and effective”. Total 12m doses of top-up have been given.
Today’s data from the UK Health Security Agency showed that people who have had a third shot in the spring are 88% more likely to contract symptomatic Covid.
While it has been difficult to quantify the effects on death and hospitalisations in this study, officials stated that they expect protection to be even higher.
As Mr Johnson acknowledged that Christmas was possible, he also made desperate appeals for Britons to receive their booster jabs. The UK’s daily Covid cases rose (stock photo).
Professor Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, told today’s press conference that even though the Covid numbers are ‘broadly flat’, there was ‘substantial pressure on the NHS and that is widely recognised by everybody, ministers obviously included.’
“But regarding the Covid number, they’re currently not going up in continental Europe’s kind of numbers but, obviously, it would force us to examine the present situation.
Mr Johnson said there was nothing in the data to suggest the country needed to move to Plan B of Covid measures — but accepted it nothing could be taken off the table.
He told a press briefing: ‘Clearly we cannot rule anything out and the most important thing people can do to prevent further NPIs from being taken is to – non-pharmaceutical interventions that is, further restrictions – get the boosters.’
Today, the booster program was expanded to include over 40s. It was previously only open to those in the highest priority 9 groups. Eligible people must have had at least one second shot within six months.
He claimed that GPs have been delivering vaccines in a big way, with more people getting them.
He added: ‘It’s starting to build a lot of momentum, but we need to see those 50-plus groups and the 60-plus groups – who can also wind up in hospital very, very easily – getting their booster as soon as you’re called forward to get it. This is the most effective protection that we have.
“But I repeat, there is nothing in my data right now that suggests we should take additional measures.
According to the PM, there are’storm clouds gathering’ over Europe. A ‘new wave of virus’ is now spreading through Europe.
He stated that while we don’t know what extent this new wave will affect our shores, history has proven that it is impossible to remain complacent.
“Countries with low vaccination rates tend to experience larger spikes in infections and have had to take harsher actions, while countries with high vaccination rates fared well.
“It is clear that we need to get everyone vaccinated immediately, if possible to stop the spread of the disease in Britain and to prevent it from affecting our everyday lives. To be fully vaccinated, boosters might soon become necessary.
‘On boosters, it’s very clear that getting three jabs – getting your booster – will become an important fact and it will make life easier for you in all sorts of ways, and we will have to adjust our concept of what constitutes a full vaccination to take account of that. This is becoming more obvious.
‘The booster massively increases your protection – it takes it right back up to over 90 per cent. We can see that the protection from the jabs does start to decrease. Therefore, we have to take responsibility and measure full vaccination.
Professor Whitty stated that we were “beginning to notice a winter respiratory impact” of viruses that are affecting the coronavirus epidemic.
England’s chief physician added that “there has been already a very substantial increase in Eastern Europe, which is still ongoing with significant number of people dying, especially among the unvaccinated.”
“That’s now moved westward and is, as you see, now growing significantly in many Western European countries.
‘We all knew – everywhere in Europe we knew – that as we went into winter, into the typical respiratory virus/flu season, that the risks would be greater, and I think this is a demonstration of the fact that we’re beginning to see a winter respiratory effect.’
Meanwhile, Professor Whitty urged hesitant women who are pregnant or wishing to get pregnant to get their Covid vaccine, highlighting data which showed their risk of severe Covid.
‘I would … like to pull out in particular the issue of women who are pregnant or intending to get pregnant. Because this is such a serious concern, I’d like to share some very stark facts.
‘Based on academic data from February 1 to September 30 … 1,714 pregnant women were admitted to hospital with Covid. 1.681 of those admitted, which is 98%, were not vaccinated.
‘And if you go to those who are very severely ill in intensive care, of 235 women admitted to ICU, 232 of them – over 98 per cent – had not been vaccinated.
These are avoidable ICU admissions, and they have also caused deaths. All medical opinions agree that vaccines have many health benefits.
“This belief is held by doctors as well as midwife advisory and scientific groups. Please encourage every woman who is pregnant or intends to become pregnant to have their vaccine.
In a separate Downing Street meeting, Jonathan Van-Tam (england’s deputy chief physician officer) stated that a high number of boosters could help to’massively decrease the concern about Covid hospitalisations in Christmas’.
Oliver Dowden, Tory chairman and party leader Oliver Dowden, warned that a “decent” Christmas is ‘in our hand’. He urged people to get their booster shots.
Today was also the announcement that 16- and 17-year olds would be given a second dose to their Covid vaccine.
Because side effects are less likely to occur, the 12 week gap between the first and second shots will be used. The decision to give the second dose was delayed while officials investigated young heart disease reports.
Pre-booking your vaccine is possible for eligible people up to five months following their second dose. However, they won’t get their booster until six months have passed. All over-40s are eligible to receive a booster dose of Moderna or Pfizer, no matter what jab was used.
Following data showing that immunity was waning, over-50s were invited for their third doses of the vaccine in September.
The third dose will be available to over-40s starting in January. This is approximately six months from the time when their second dose was administered.
At a Downing Street press conference, Professor Wei Shen Lin (chair of the JCVI) said that younger people may be eligible for a top-up shot at’some time’.
He stated that he didn’t yet know if this was the case. We’re constantly looking at data and if there is enough signal that warrants a third dose (or a booster dose) for this age group then we will certainly announce it and advise accordingly.
Professor Van-Tam advised Britons that they get their third shot to make sure the country has a’safe and disrupt-free winter’.
He stated that people keep asking him about Christmas.
“I believe that respiratory viruses will be present for Christmas and winter. We are especially concerned about the flu coming back, which could lead to more problems. It may be quite bumpy in the months ahead.
“But every person has an important role in creating a winter that is as free from disruptions and safe as possible.
Wear face covers in crowds if possible, and make sure to get vaccinated.
“And when you’re called to be your booster, please move quickly so we can all do this job as a UK.”
Sajid Javid, Health Secretary, said he accepted advice from the JCVI to extend the booster program to younger age groups and offer 16-17-year-olds a second dosage.
He claimed that the NHS was already asked to make arrangements to administer the vaccine for these groups.
‘We know immunity to Covid begins to wane after six months and new data published today shows a third dose boosts protection against symptomatic infection to more than 90 per cent — this highlights just how important it is that everyone eligible gets their top-up jabs as soon as possible.
“The JCVI will be reviewing whether the booster program should extend to people younger than 40. Their advice is welcome and they look forward to it.
‘This is a national mission – the vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones and I urge everybody to get your jabs as soon as you can.’
Dr June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA — the UK’s drug regulator, said: ‘This further strengthens our ability to ensure people are protected against Covid and saves lives.
“Our safety monitoring has shown that Covid vaccines have maintained a high safety profile for most people.
“The majority of reported reactions are expected side effects such as injection site reactions or flu-like symptoms. This was also evident in our initial assessment.
The booster program was accused last month of being slow, and hundreds of older people claimed they couldn’t find the right place to book an appointment.
Ministers modified the booking process to enable people to reserve their booster starting at five months following their first dose. This was to make sure they have it on their calendar.
Many older people still don’t have adequate protection, as the NHS staff did not correctly note their date for their second dose.
Michael Kelly (70-year-old Gateshead taxi driver) said that he had received the second jab seven months earlier on April 23, 2013. But NHS staff noted it down as June 18 — two months later, leaving him spending hours on the phone to 119 trying to book his follow-up appointment.
Every day, an average of 360,000 boosters is being distributed. That’s a significant increase over the 270,000 that were given a fortnight earlier. Three quarters (75+) have received their boosters.
Dowden called on Britons today to receive their supplements and said that Christmas was in our hands.
Sky News reported that he said: “If you receive the booster when it comes, that is the largest wall of defense that we have against Covid.
“I feel confident that we’ll have a nice Christmas this year if everyone sticks to our guns and takes the boosters exactly when asked.
“There is no plan to stop Christmas from happening.” The vaccine makes all of the difference.
But he warned that controls might be required if things change drastically, like the appearance of a new Covid type.
“We haven’t excluded it.” If things change drastically, we will have to do a review.
‘Professor Lockdown’ Neil Ferguson — who advises SAGE — told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme at the weekend: ‘I see no reason why we shouldn’t be rolling them out to younger age groups once we’ve got through the priority groups: over-50s and the clinically vulnerable.
“Our modeling suggests that it can make a significant difference in driving the transmission to lower levels.
This comes as official data released today shows that Covid booster jabs provided more than 90% protection against symptoms in over-50s.
The UK Health Security Agency — which took over the reigns from the now defunct Public Health England — found that two weeks after getting the top up protection was 93.1 per cent for AstraZeneca recipients, and 94 per cent for those who got the Pfizer shot.
Effectiveness against any symptomatic disease seems to decrease after just two doses.
Although experts agree the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing severe consequences such as hospitalizations remains high even after completion of the initial course, research has shown that older people and patients with chronic medical conditions have experienced a slower decline than young healthy adults.
Head of immunization at UKHSA Dr Mary Ramsay stated: “Our findings show the protection offered by the booster dose împotriva symptomatic infection for those most at risk to develop severe Covid.
“We have discovered that older people are less protected from the second and third vaccines. We now face a winter with millions who require extra protection.
“It is important that you apply for your booster immediately you are eligible, so we can reduce winter deaths and hospitalisations.”
SAGE advisor says repeated Covid vaccines are possible to provide protection from the virus, as well as any additional restrictions that may need to be applied for years to come.
Sky News interviewed him and he said that Covid was likely to be endemic in the long-term. We will probably have to continue to fight it by vaccinating for many years.
When Professor Tildesley was asked if he feels confident about having a normal Christmas, he replied: “I am cautiously optimistic.”
“If we examine (the trends), we see that while there has been quite the variation over the recent weeks, and although we are still reporting high numbers of patients, the total daily hospital admissions, as well the death toll, is quite a way lower than what it was in November last year. Which should give us some degree of confidence.
He said, “The booster vaccine campaign is faring much better than it was just a few weeks back. But there are still quite a number of eligible persons who haven’t had their booster jab.”
“We need to make sure that as many people as we can get booster jabs in the next couple of weeks if we want to prevent restrictions from increasing.
The strict guidelines that require those with positive Covid tests to self-isolate have been scrapped.
Last September, MPs extended laws that force those who catch the virus – as well as unvaccinated people who may have been exposed to it – to self-isolate for ten days.
Officials in the Government now believe that compulsory self-isolation is going to be abandoned when the legal power expires.
“Working assumption” [is]”Legal duties will cease after March,” a document that was written in the last month says.
A scheme that pays out £500 to those on low incomes who are self-isolating is expected to be axed at the same time to save cash. The Test and Trace Support Payment has paid out £167.9 million to 335,000 low-income workers during the pandemic.
Officials also plan to cut the costs for the NHS’s contact tracking system. It attempts to locate people susceptible to the coronavirus.
The Treasury handed the NHS a further £94 million to bankroll its tracing service until the end of this month, but officials are now poring over ‘potential cost savings, including reducing staff numbers’.
Individuals who choose to self-isolate will be called by NHS Test and Trace staff who ensure they follow the rules. However, officials are planning to suggest to Ministers that this call be discontinued.
According to one document obtained by The Mail, “We are undertaking an evaluation of the future approach of tracing in order to increase cost efficiency,” according to The Mail on Saturday.
Non-vaccinated travelers arriving in the UK from outside countries must self-isolate and be called daily. It is possible to ditch these calls, however.
Longer term, as Covid enters the UK, the UK Health Security Agency will end its nationwide ‘trace” system.
According to documents, this could mean that the responsibility is transferred to local authorities.