THE most vulnerable in the country are set to get four coronavirus jabs in a race to stop the spread of the Omicron variant, an NHS chief has revealed.
NHS England's chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, today said that millions more people are eligible for boosters.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference this afternoon she said that the NHS would be following new advise from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
She said: "We will vaccinate the most vulnerable first and then open it up in other waves."
Meanwhile, adults face fines of up to £10,000 if they don't self-isolate under strict new Covid rules.
Punishments will be dished out to anyone who fails to stay at home for 10 days after coming into contact with a confirmed Omicron case – regardless of how many jabs they have had.
Penalties for refusing to remain inside start at £1,000 but rise to £10,000 for repeat offences or serious breaches.
Read our Omicron live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Milica Cosic
News you may have missed today
- New rules have come into force TODAY to stop the new variant Omicron
- Brits face fines if they don't wear masks on public transport or in shops
- Schools WON'T close despite the new strain
- Docs fear the new strain will put certain people at greater risk
- European leaders said they are in a race against time to stop the new variant from spreading
Boris Johnson's new plans
BORIS Johnson today unveiled his battleplan to offer booster jabs to every British adult by the end of January.
Hundreds more NHS vaccination sites are opening nationally, and the army is set to be drafted in to turbo-charge the fight against Omicron.
Speaking to the nation he outlined aims to put rocket boosters under the jabs programme, and increase the number of doses administered every week from 2.5 million to 3.5 million.
Amid his rallying cry to get every adult signed up for their booster shot, Boris said: "The best way to show our grit is to do our bit and step forward when time comes for the booster.
"I've been waiting patiently for my moment to come. It's happening on Thursday I'm pleased to say.
"So whenever your turn comes, get your booster and ask your friends and your family to do the same.
"It's time for another great British vaccination effort. We've done it before and we're going to do it again. And let's not give this virus a second chance."
'Step up & roll up our sleeves'
Sajid Javid said a normal festive season hinges on people booking their third shots – and that it is a "national mission".
"If we want to give ourselves the best chance of a Christmas with our loved ones, the best thing we all do is step up. roll up our sleeves and get protected when the time comes," he said.
- Milica Cosic
Vaccinated adults face £10,000 fine
VACCINATED adults face fines of up to £10,000 if they don't self-isolate under strict new Covid rules.
Punishments will be dished out to anyone who fails to stay at home for 10 days after coming into contact with a confirmed Omicron case – regardless of how many jabs they have had.
Brits will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace if they have mixed with a positive case and told to quarantine immediately.
Penalties for refusing to remain inside start at £1,000 but rise to £10,000 for repeat offences or serious breaches.
The new legislation came into force at 4am today in response to the rapidly spreading variant.
- Milica Cosic
Cash for jabs
In order to 'reward' hard working staff for the jabs rollout, NHS England's chief executive, Amanda Pritchard said a cash incentive would be implemented.
She explained that GPs and pharmacies would be offered £15 per jab until the end of January, with an extra £5 for those administered on a Sunday and a £30 premium for those delivered to the housebound until the end of next month.
This, she said, is to make sure as many jabs as possible are being delivered.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also this afternoon revealed that the army, along with pop up sites would also be rolled out to help save Christmas amid the uncertainty of the Omicron variant.
He did however admit that he couldn't rule out a fresh lockdown, but said tough restrictions were 'unlikely'.
- Milica Cosic
18-39 eligible for Covid booster jabs
It was yesterday revealed that people aged 18-39 would be eligible for Covid booster jabs but that the vulnerable would still be first in line.
Those who can currently book through the national booking service include those who are 40 years old and over and those who have a health condition which means they need to be vaccinated first.
- Milica Cosic
Most vulnerable Brits will get FOUR Covid jabs
THE most vulnerable in the country are set to get four coronavirus jabs in a race to stop the spread of the Omicron variant, an NHS chief has revealed.
It comes as more cases of Omicron were today detected in the UK – now totalling 22.
NHS England's chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, today said that millions more people are eligible for boosters.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference this afternoon she said that the NHS would be following new advise from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
She said: "The NHS Covid programme is in its most complex phase and is working at brake neck speed at this change in eligibility.
"The JCVI has also recommended the introduction of a fourth jab for the most vulnerable, because they are undergoing chemotherapy or are having other problems with their immune system.
"We will vaccinate the most vulnerable first and then open it up in other waves."
- Milica Cosic
What protection should you have at work?
According to government guidance, employers should:
- Complete a Covid-19 risk assessment, and share it with all staff.
- Clean more often, especially surfaces that people touch a lot. Staff and customers to use hand sanitiser and wash their hands frequently.
- Remind visitors to wear face coverings where the law says they must.
- Make sure everyone can maintain social distancing, for example putting up signs or introducing a one-way system.
- Provide adequate ventilation by supplying fresh air to enclosed space where people are present. For example via windows, doors and vents, mechanical ventilation using fans and ducts, or a combination of both.
- Take part in NHS Test and Trace.
- Turn people with coronavirus symptoms away.
- Arrange work spaces to keep staff apart.
- Reduce face-to-face meetings.
- Reduce crowding.
Your employer does owe a duty of care to you and other members of staff.
New pingdemic
A NEW pingdemic arising from the latest Covid variant would knock at least £2billion off the economy, a think tank claims.
The Institute of Economic Affairs believes the measures could end up hammering the economy.
Spokesman Julian Jessop said: “The main short-term risk to the economy comes from the tightening of the self-isolation rules, which could trigger another pingdemic.
“This would disrupt schools and businesses in the crucial pre-Christmas period.”
Labour shortages would amplify the impact compared with the July pingdemic — costing £2billion, he added.
Read the article in full here.
- Louis Allwood
Local restrictions?
Boris Johnson has said that it would be highly unlikely to move back to any measure similar to local restrictions, saying it would be best to be 'all moving around together'.
- Louis Allwood
Amanda Pritchard pleas
Amanda has once again reiterated that anyone willing to volunteer to help with the booster roll out should come forward.
- Louis Allwood
How long will measures last
No exact answer from the PM however he did say the current measures shouldn't last a minute more than they will need to Boris Johnson has reassured.
- Louis Allwood
Supply issues for boosters
Amanda Pritchard has confirmed there are no supply issues with hitting the target and there shouldn't be any issues.
- Louis Allwood
Huge progress
The Health Secretary said: "We have made so much progress over the year, weakened the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths, real word protection that vaccination provides.
"Boosters play a huge part – it's more important than ever than people step up and get protected."
- Louis Allwood
Significant pressure at winter
The NHS are trying to deal with the current backlogs and are aware that this will be a 'difficult winter'.
- Louis Allwood
The guidance remains the same
Boris Johnson was asked why we will not be having to wear masks everywhere.
He replied by saying that he wanted to maintain a balance and proportionate response.
- Louis Allwood
Boris will get his jab Thursday
Amid his rallying cry to get every adult signed up for their booster jab, Boris said: "The best way to show our grit is to do our bit and step forward when time comes for the booster.
"I'm getting mine on Thursday – when your turn comes get it and ask your friends and family to do the same."
- Louis Allwood
Dose increase from 2.5 million to 3.5 million
The PM said he would be "throwing everything" at the mutant variant, which has left scientists all around the world concerned.
Speaking to the nation he outlined aims to put rocket boosters under the programme and increase the number of doses administered every week from 2.5 million to 3.5 million.
- Louis Allwood
"We will let you know when it is your turn"
It has been advised not to try and book if you are not eligible.
You will be contacted when it is your turn.
- Louis Allwood
Fourth jabs for the most vulnerable
It has been confirmed that a fourth jab will be on offer to those that are the most vulnerable including patients currently going through Chemotherapy.
- Louis Allwood
National mission
"We all have a role to play" Sajid Javid has stated if we want to give ourselves the best chance of having a Christmas with family and friends.
- Louis Allwood
Get the booster jab
The best way we can protect our defensive wall is to get as many booster jabs into the arms of people.
The dose interval will be reduced from 6 moths to three months.
- Louis Allwood
Sajid Javid has thanked NHS
Sajid Javid has started by saying how well they have done with the vaccine roll outand that the booster roll out will hopefully follow in the footsteps.
- Louis Allwood
Getting behind the NHS
Boris Johnson has said "on behalf of the entire country we thank you for all their best efforts."
"We can do our bit to step forward and get that booster."
- Louis Allwood
The army have been called in
The PM will deploy at least 400 military personnel to help with the effort.
Source: Read Full Article
