Warning Covid variant Omicron spreads rapidly, can be transmitted between fully-vaxxed & makes jabs less effective
GOVERNMENT scientists have warned that the new Covid variant spreads rapidly, can be transmitted between fully vaccinated people and makes jabs less effective.
The latest caution about the Covid super-strain Omicron was announced at a press conference in Downing Street this evening amid growing concerns over the new variant.
The new variant spreads rapidly and can be transmitted between fully vaccinated people[/caption]Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said today that it was not yet clear how effective the vaccine is in protecting against the latest strain.
However, those who are fully-jabbed and are to get the booster are less likely to become seriously ill.
It comes after fears that the Omicron variant could weaken vaccine protection by 40 per cent.
Experts warned that the strain was the most evolved so far with 50 mutations, 32 of which are a particular concern and could be worse than Delta.
Today Boris Johnson urged all Brits to get their jabs and confirmed that the third vaccine campaign would get a “boost” by reducing the waiting time between the second jab and the booster.
“From today we’re going to boost the booster campaign, we’re already planning to do six million jabs in England alone over the next three weeks and now we’re looking to go further,” Mr Johnson said.
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“The Health Secretary has asked the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) to consider giving boosters to as wide a group as possible as well as reducing the gap between your second dose and your booster.”
Meanwhile, early signs suggest that the new strain may spread as fast or faster than Delta.
Prof Wendy Barclay, at Imperial College London, said: “It will be several weeks before we have answers. We have no evidence that it’s causing any more severe disease but we know it is transmitting well.”
The PM also announced added restrictions this evening after two cases of the dreaded super-spreading strain were reported in Essex and Nottingham.
The two cases – which are currently isolating – are said to be linked to travel in South Africa.
Face coverings will become compulsory in shops and on public transport from “next week”, a statement from 10 Downing Street said.
The statement, which was issued following the Prime Minister’s press conference, said: “Face coverings will be made compulsory in shops and on public transport from next week.
“All hospitality settings will be exempt.”
‘HORRIFIC’ MUTATION
But Mr Johnson said tighter border controls would only go so far to quell the variant’s spread in Britain, adding “proportionate and targeted measures” were now needed.
He told a Downing Street news briefing: “We need to slow down the spread of this variant here in the UK.
“In addition to the measures we are already taking, we will require all contacts of those who test positive with a suspected case of Omicron to self-isolate for 10 days regardless of your vaccination status.
“We will also go further in asking all of you to help contain the spread of this variant by tightening up the rules on face coverings in shops and on public transport.”
In spite of the alarm over the “horrific” mutation, which was first spotted in South Africa, Boris made no mention of a return of the work from home order.