Two doses of a Covid vaccine are not enough to stop you catching the Omicron variant, UK scientists have warned.
Early analysis of UK Omicron and Delta cases showed the vaccines were less effective at stopping the new variant.
But a third booster prevents around 75% of people getting any Covid symptoms.
Meanwhile, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, who chaired a meeting with first ministers of the devolved nations this afternoon, warned the UK faces a “deeply concerning situation”.
Speaking after the meeting of the government’s emergency committee Cobra, he said measures taken so far were “proportionate”, but ministers were “absolutely” keeping everything under review.
“Action is absolutely required, and as new data comes in we will consider what action we do require to take in the face of that data,” he added.
It comes as another 448 cases of Omicron were confirmed in the UK, taking the number reported so far to 1,265. The total number of Covid cases recorded on Friday was 58,194 – the highest figure since 9 January.
The government has said it is updating its guidance for care homes in England – limiting the number of visitors allowed per resident, and increasing testing “in order to balance the current Covid-19 risk”. -BBC
