Cabinet will meet today [Wednesday 19 January] to review the
latest Covid data and Plan B measures, with the Prime Minister
expected to update Parliament in the afternoon.
Plan B measures were implemented in December to respond to the
extremely transmissible Omicron variant, to slow its rapid spread
and allow time to administer more booster jabs across the
country.
Data showed two doses are not enough to protect against Omicron.
A booster increases protection against symptomatic infection back
up to around 70%, and protection against hospitalisation to
around 92% two to four weeks after a third jab.
The Prime Minister launched an urgent national appeal to Get
Boosted Now in December, offering all eligible adults a booster
by the New Year. This target was met, and over 30 million
boosters have now been administered across England, and 36
million UK wide, offering the best possible protection.
Cases remain high and 17,000 patients are in hospital in England
alone. All data on case numbers and severity will continue to be
monitored carefully.
Anyone who has not yet had their jab should come forward to
protect themselves and others. Boosters are now also available to
young people aged 16-17 and for all at risk 12-15 year
olds. First and second doses
remain available.
Plan B regulations are set to expire on 26th January, and the
government committed to reviewing them ahead of this date.
A government spokesperson said:
“Decisions on the next steps remain finely balanced. Plan B was
implemented in December to slow the rapid spread of the extremely
transmissible Omicron variant, and get more jabs in arms. It’s
thanks to the phenomenal efforts of the NHS and many dedicated
volunteers that we have now delivered over 36 million boosters to
people across the UK.
“The Omicron variant continues to pose a significant threat and
the pandemic is not over. Infections remain high but the latest
data is encouraging, with cases beginning to fall. Vaccines
remain our best line of defence and we urge people to come
forward, to give themselves the best possible protection.”
