Startup Observer.com
  • Home
  • Industries
  • Innovation
  • outsourcing
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Headlines
  • Opinion
  • News
Home Headlines UK issues call to arms for Omicron booster drive
Headlines

UK issues call to arms for Omicron booster drive

by jcp December 1, 2021
December 1, 2021
gawdo

By Paul Sandle

LONDON (Reuters) -Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a “call to get jabs in arms” on Wednesday as Britain stepped up its COVID-19 booster programme to fend off the Omicron variant after another 10 cases of the new strain were identified.

Britain has now recorded 32 cases of the Omicron variant, which appears to be more transmissible, while tests continue to see whether it causes more severe disease or if vaccines are less effective against it.

“It is very likely that we will find more cases over the coming days as we are seeing in other countries globally,” said Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency.

Johnson announced a new target this week to offer all adults a booster vaccine shot by the end of January, which means speeding up the country’s programme by an extra million doses a week.

With the emergence of the Omicron variant, people needed to come forward, he said.

“This isn’t a call to arms, but a call to get jabs in arms. And quickly,” he said on Twitter.

Britain has recorded more than 10.2 million COVID cases and almost 145,000 deaths since the pandemic started.

First reported in southern Africa a week ago, Omicron has spread to more than a dozen countries, spooking financial markets. Governments have responded by reintroducing some travel restrictions.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said booster vaccines would help protect against severe disease from Omicron, even if it turns out the shots are not as effective against the variant as against previous strains of the disease.

Government data shows 81% of the population aged over 12 have had two doses of vaccine, while 32% have had a booster shot, or third dose.

Local doctors, however, have voiced concerns that the focus on boosters could divert resources from efforts to clear backlogs of treatments unrelated to COVID-19, built up during earlier lockdowns.

“We’re simply not going to be able to do everything we’re doing at the moment,” Gary Howsam, vice chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, told Times Radio.

The government has also made it compulsory for people to wear masks on public transport and in shops to curb the spread of the new variant. However, health minister Javid said there was no need for people to cancel Christmas parties.

Such festivities were banned last year, and Johnson faced accusations of hypocrisy on Wednesday after reports Christmas parties were held at his Downing Street office during last year’s lockdown. Johnson said no rules had been broken.

($1 = 0.7508 pounds)

(Additional reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Kate Holton and Angus MacSwan)

www.gawdo.com
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Omicron, found in Europe 11 days ago, jolts markets on vaccine fears
next post
Founders find new power in agile funding revolution

You may also like

Russian missiles rain down on Ukraine as West...

June 29, 2022

NATO deal with Turkey greeted with caution and...

June 29, 2022

Doctors, bankers protest ‘impossible situation’ as Sri Lanka...

June 29, 2022
Editorial & Advertiser disclosureEditorial & Advertiser disclosureOur website provides you with information, news, press releases, Opinion and advertorials on various financial products and services. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third party websites, affiliate sales networks, and may link to our advertising partners websites. Though we are tied up with various advertising and affiliate networks, this does not affect our analysis or opinion. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you, or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a partner endorsed link.
gawdo.com
https://www.gawdo.com
  • About us
  • Advertising & Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

@2021 - All Right Reserved.


Back To Top
Startup Observer.com
  • Home
  • Industries
  • Innovation
  • outsourcing
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Headlines
  • Opinion
  • News
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT