Booster jabs work against Omicron and give up to 75% protection, data shows
The Omicron variant of coronavirus is expected to become the dominant strain in the UK within days, the Health Security Agency has warned.
In a briefing on Friday, it said the number of cases will exceed one million by the end of the month if current trends continue.
Analysis of 581 people infected with the new strain showed the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines provided ‘much lower’ levels of protection when compared with the Delta variant.
But it said preliminary data showed vaccine effectiveness ‘considerably increased’ in the early period after a booster dose, providing around 70 to 75% protection against symptomatic infection.
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UKHSA, said: ‘These early estimates should be treated with caution but they indicate that a few months after the second jab, there is a greater risk of catching the Omicron variant compared to Delta strain.
‘The data suggest this risk is significantly reduced following a booster vaccine, so I urge everyone to take up their booster when eligible.
‘We expect the vaccines to show higher protection against the serious complications of Covid-19, so if you haven’t yet had your first two doses please book an appointment straight away.’
Communities Secretary Michael Gove said the UK faces a ‘deeply concerning situation’ given the fast rate the Omicron variant is spreading across the country.
In his role as minister for intergovernmental relations, Mr Gove chaired a Cobra meeting with the first ministers and deputy first ministers of the devolved nations to discuss Covid-19 data and co-ordination on the response.
Speaking to broadcasters, the Cabinet minister said: ‘The Cobra meeting I’ve just chaired with first ministers of all the devolved administrations was presented with some very challenging new information.
‘We know that we have the highest number of Covid infections across the UK recorded today since January 9.
‘We know the Omicron variant is doubling every two to three days in England, and possibly even faster in Scotland.
‘We know that 30% of reported cases in London are the Omicron variant and of course we only identified Omicron in this country a fortnight ago.’
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned the country could see a ‘tsunami of infections’ from the new strain.
She said a rise in cases is ‘virtually certain’ and warned it would ‘run riot’ through the population, with modelling in a Scottish Government evidence paper showing infections could surge to as many as 25,000 a day in the worst case scenario.
Ms Sturgeon announced stricter isolation rules in response to the modelling during a coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh, confirming that from Saturday household contacts will be asked to self-isolate for 10 days regardless of their vaccination status or a negative PCR test.
The Welsh Government will review its coronavirus guidance on a weekly basis over winter in response to the threat from the Omicron variant, shifting away from the current three-week cycle.
First Minister Mark Drakeford warned the public to prepare for the number of Omicron cases to rise ‘quickly and steeply’ over the coming weeks.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, he said: ‘We don’t yet know how serious this form of the illness will be, but the sheer speed at which the variant moves means it has the potential to infect large numbers of people.’
He continued: ‘That would then translate to a large number of hospital admissions over the next month just at the time the NHS is already under severe and intense pressure.’
So far, one million people in Wales have had their booster jab, and the Welsh Government are to offer a third dose to everyone over 18 by the end of January.
There are currently no plans to change coronavirus regulations in Northern Ireland over the Christmas period, and health minister Robin Swann said new restrictions are not inevitable in January.
He said there are concerns about the Omicron variant, but until further information is available people should continue to do the things that are known to combat the virus.
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