Boris Johnson Tells People To Get Covid Boosters But Sees No Reason For "Plan B" Yet
2 min read
The Prime Minister believes Christmas should be free from lockdowns, and has urged people to get their Covid-19 booster jab when it's their turn if they want to avoid it.
Covid-19 boosters are currently only available to those who are vulnerable or over 50. The government has said it aims to roll out the third jabs to all age groups by March 2022.
Speaking to journalists at the G20 summit in Rome, Johnson said there should be no complacency among those who are double jabbed as the virus continues to spread.
"How sad, how tragic would it be if people who had other complications, other compromises in their health, got seriously ill because they were over-confident about their level of immunity and didn't get their booster when they needed it," he said.
"So please, please please, can everybody get their boosters."
As Covid cases continue to rise, the government has resisted growing pressure to move to "Plan B", which would involve returning to some restrictions, including mandatory mask-wearing, working from home where possible, and the need for Covid certification at large events. Instead they have urged people to get vaccinated.
This time last year most of the UK faced severe lockdown measures, with much of the country forced to stay at home. Household mixing was later banned at Christmas, after the government was forced to ditch plans to allow for a Christmas lockdown easing at the last minute.
But Johnson did not believe that we faced a similar situation this year.
"I see no evidence to think that any kind of lockdown is on the cards," he told reporters.
The number of daily Covid-19 cases reported on Friday was 43,000, with 186 new deaths within 28 days of a positive test. Hospitalisations from the illness were also up, with 6,981 people admitted in the last seven days to October 25, an increase of 381 compared to the previous 7 days.
Johnson says he is watching the Covid numbers closely.
"Yes it's true that cases are high, but they do not currently constitute any reason to go to Plan B," he continued.
"We're sticking with the plan, and I think rather than thinking new restrictions are the best thing everybody can do, it is get that booster jab as soon as you're offered it.
"People don't quite realise that the first two jabs do start to wane. So people who are double vaccinated can experience a waning effect in their immunity."
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