Covid-19: the alert level raised in the United Kingdom in the face of the strong surge of the Omicron variant – franceinfo

A cut above. Health officials in the United Kingdom announced on Sunday December 12 to raise the Covid alert level due to a “rapid increase” cases of the Omicron variant, which prompted the government to announce new measures.

“No one should doubt it: there is an Omicron tidal wave coming, and I fear it is now clear that two doses of vaccine are not enough to provide the level of protection we all have. need”Boris Johnson said in a speech broadcast on television on Sunday night. The Prime Minister announced a strong acceleration of the vaccine booster campaign, with the objective of offering a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to all adults by the end of December.

Banking on this third dose to avoid overwhelming hospitals and crippling the economy, Boris Johnson announced the goal of one month to offer this booster shot to all over 18 in England. They will now be able to benefit from it before the New Year.

“Early evidence shows that Omicron spreads much faster than Delta and that vaccine protection against symptomatic diseases of Omicron is reduced.”, underline health officials from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in a joint statement.