Omicron Emergency: PM confirms one death as booster plan rolled out across England
Learn more about the current situation in the UK
Last updated 13th Dec 2021
Boris Johnson has declared an "Omicron emergency" and warned people against thinking the new variant won't make them seriously ill.
The PM also said that at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with the Omicron variant of coronavirus, as Plan B rules come into force today.
Here is a look at what the current situation is in the UK and what is expected to happen over the coming days and weeks.
Booster jabs now available for over 30s
The Government has said it aims to offer booster jabs to every adult by the end of December.
The target had previously been the end of January, but the PM said everyone eligible aged 18 and over in England will have the chance to get their booster before the new year.
Moreover, the national booking system has opened to everyone aged 30 to 39 years old from today, Monday 13th December.
Over 30s can now make appointments to get a booster three months on from their second Covid-19 jab.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the Government will "throw everything at" the Covid booster programme to tackle the Omicron variant.
NHS appointments to be postponed to make way for boosters
GPs are encouraged to only focusing on urgent needs and vaccinations for the next few weeks.
Nursing leaders have expressed concern about the "scale and pace" of the vaccine programme expansion.
The mission to administer millions more jabs by 31st December will see 42 military planning teams deployed across every health region.
Extra vaccine sites will be opened and additional mobile units deployed, clinic opening hours are to be extended to allow people to be jabbed around the clock and at weekends, while thousands more vaccinators will be trained.
Macmillan Cancer Support said the Government must ensure NHS cancer services are "prioritised and protected" as the pandemic saw up to 740,000 "missing" cancer referrals from GPs.
How many Omicron cases does the UK have?
The UK, as of Sunday 12th December, recorded a further 1,239 confirmed cases of the Omicron mutation, bringing the total number of cases to 3,137.
This was a 65% increase from Saturday's total of 1,898.
Following a statement from Health Secretary Sajid Javid, roughly 20% of cases discovered in the UK are now of the Omicron variant.
The UK Covid alert level was also raised to Level 4, up from Level 3, following the rapid increase in the number of Omicron cases.
Mr Johnson said there is evidence that Omicron is doubling in the UK every two to three days, adding that we know from "bitter experience" how exponential curves develop.
He said there is "no doubt" that the UK faces a "tidal wave" of Omicron infections.
Experts predict hospitalisations could double this year
A recent modelling report suggests that, under one scenario, almost twice the number of coronavirus patients could be admitted to hospitals - compared with last year -due to the impact of Omicron.
Experts from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) said a large wave of infections could occur over the next few months if tougher measures are not brought in.
Learn more about the coronavirus vaccines:
What is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK on 2 December 2020. Britain was the first country in the world to approve the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19. Pfizer is an American pharmaceutical firm while BioNTech is a German biotechnology company. The vaccine is very delicate and has to be stored at -70 degrees, limiting the number of sites that can administer the jab.
What is the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine?
A vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca became the second vaccine approved for UK use on 30 December 2020. This vaccine was considered "the way out" of the pandemic in the UK, thanks to the fact it is easier to store than the Pfizer jab, making it well equipped for mass roll out. GPs and vaccination centres across the country began administering the jab in early January 2021. Under 30's in the U.K. were given the option to choose a different vaccine to this due to small risks of very rare blood clots. Instead, under-30s would typically choose the Pfizer jab or later, the moderna jab.
What is the Moderna vaccine?
The third vaccine approved for UK use on 8 January 2021 was developed by American firm Moderna. 24-year-old Elle Taylor from Wales became the first person in the UK to receive the Moderna jab in April. The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab in how it works but is even easier to roll out as it can be stored at -20 degrees rather than -70.
What is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The fourth vaccine to be be approved in the UK was Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, released under the name Janssen. Notably, It is also the first single shot vaccine in use during this vaccine rollout.
Who was the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine?
90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first patient in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside a clinical trial. She received her jab on 8 December 2020 at Coventry's University Hospital. Mrs Keenan, who lives in Coventry, became somewhat of a fashion influencer after the charity t-shirt she wore to her vaccination appointment sold out. Profits went towards buying Christmas presents for hospital patients. The grandmother advised everyone who was offered the vaccine to take it, saying "If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too."
Who was the first person to receive the Oxford vaccine?
Meanwhile, Brian Pinker from Oxford was first to receive the AstraZeneca jab outside of a clinical trial at the age of 82. Mr Pinker, who was vaccinated on 4 January 2021, praised the medical teams administering the vaccine, saying it would allow him to "really look forward" to celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Shirley later on in the year.
When will I receive the vaccine?
Vaccines were offered according to vulnerability levels. First to be offered the jab were people in care homes and their carers, followed by those over 80 and health and social care workers. People aged 65 and above were next on the priority list and then high-risk adults under the age of 65 followed by moderate risk adults under 65. The vaccine was then rolled out by age group.
How will I know when it's my turn to get vaccinated?
When it is your turn to receive the vaccination, you will be informed by the NHS. You should only attend vaccination sites if you have been told to do so. Vaccines are provided for free by the NHS and they will never ask for bank details. Find out more about vaccine scams here.
What is a vaccine passport?
The Government debate the idea of a vaccine passport as proof of full vaccination required to enter venues like nightclubs. Health Secretary Sajid Javid later "ditched" the idea and ensured clubbers that they no longer need to be double jabbed by the end of September 2021 to get into Nightclubs or big events.
Do I need a booster jab?
Pfizer/BioNTech booster jabs are rolled out as part of the Government's winter covid plan. Shots can be given to people aged 50 and over, those in care homes and frontline health and social care workers. All those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid will also be eligible for a jab. There must be at least 6 months between a 2nd vaccine dose and a booster jab.
Oxford jab scientist Sarah Gilbert says booster jabs are "not needed for all" and that they should instead go to countries with low vaccination rates.
Will children be vaccinated?
The government have also made vaccines available to children aged between 12-15 as part of the country's winter Covid plan.
What about five to 11-year-olds getting vaccinated?
All 5 to 11-year-olds in England can now receive a coronavirus jab, following advice from the JCVI and the same decision being made in Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is also expanding their vaccination programme to include the 5-11 age range. It means almost six million children in the UK will be offered the Covid-19 vaccination.