Brits warned get your booster jab NOW for a normal Christmas amid fears ‘nu’ variant risks fresh restrictions
BRITS have been issued with a fresh warning to get booster jabs NOW for a normal Christmas.
The rapid spread of a new super-strain has sparked furious calls for ministers to press the panic button and introduce fresh restrictions.
Boris Johnson is so far holding his nerve and resisting demands he launches Plan B measures of mask-wearing, working from home and vaccine passports.
But Sajid Javid last night raised the risk of a winter squeeze by telling the nation: “If we need to go further we will.”
In a sobering warning he said “this pandemic is far from over” and that the “Nu” variant was of “huge international concern”.
The minister said early indications were that it was more infectious than Delta and may even weaken the effectiveness of our vaccines.
Mr Javid used a statement to MPs as a clarion call for all eligible Brits to take up their booster jabs as a matter of urgency.
He said: “We must continue to act with caution, and do all we can to keep this virus at bay including, once you are eligible, getting your booster shot.
“We’ve already given over 16 million booster shots. The booster jab was already important before we knew about this variant – but now, it could not be more important.
“So please, if you’re eligible get your booster shot, do not delay.”
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Yesterday more than 25 per cent of Brits had had a booster, including more than 80 per cent of over-70s.
The major milestone was passed after The Sun launched its Give Britain A Booster campaign to encourage people to get their third jab.
The data shows their working to break the link between infections and hospitalisations and deaths.
Daily figures show deaths are down 161 since last week, and hospitalisations are down 651 on last week.
Despite the stark warnings concerning the Nu variant – which has been traced as close as Belgium – ministers stress that Christmas should be normal this year.
Grant Shapps today said school nativity plays can go ahead this Christmas despite the creeping Covid concerns
Dismissing doomster calls for cancellations the Transport Secretary declared: “Let the nativity plays play on!”
He said: “Let the nativity plays play on, is my view. We did not go through three rounds of vaccination and everything else to have to live out last Christmas again.
“We weren’t able to get together as we should have done with our friends and families.”
Downing St also said there was “nothing in our data” showing the need to move to Plan B.
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