‘Get your booster!’ Omicron data shows third jab is ‘critical’ in Covid battle

Sajid Javid urges public to get their booster vaccinations

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The Omicron variant emerged in late November, detected by South African researchers with the National Institute For Communicable Diseases (NICD). Since then, it has planted roots in several countries, and officials have scrambled to understand how it works. A recent report published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has shed light on the situation, which touts the importance of the booster jab.

The UKHSA released its early analysis via “technical briefing 31” earlier today.

The briefing explored acquired knowledge about Omicron, ranging from its place in the community to its severity.

The organisation analysed 581 people with confirmed Omicron infections – a sample size too limited to represent the UK at the population level – but uncovered some promising results for the vaccine.

Officials found the booster could rebuild immunity until people could fight Omicron nearly as well as Delta.

Early data demonstrates the variant is an “immune evading virus” that significantly whittles down vaccine immunity.

The report found Omicron reduced vaccine effectiveness with the AstraZeneca jab down to zero.

And the Pfizer vaccine, although more effective, was down to 30 percent.

UKHSA staff found the booster reforged the lost immunity, spiking it back to around 75 percent.

Within the first month after receiving the booster, the UKHSA noted vaccine effectiveness with the Pfizer jab returned to between 70 and 75 percent.

The recent data backs up the Government’s vaccine booster drive, which it hopes will stall Omicron.

Ministers have introduced ambitious new targets for the NHS to increase weekly vaccinations from 2.5 to 3.5 million.

At the same time, the service will extend the booster programme to every English adult aged under 40.

The Government has pledged to work through age groups and give every adult an appointment by January.

The latest news has prompted some of the UK’s leading scientists and health officials to urge people to accept the offer when their turn comes.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UKHSA, said people should treat the early estimates “with caution” but added they suggest the risk of catching Omicron is “significantly reduced” with the booster.

She urged everyone to “take up their booster when eligible”, as it could provide “higher protection against the serious complications of COVID-19”.

UKHSA chief executive Dr Jenny Harries said the booster is the “best defence we have against this highly transmissible new variant”.

She also rehashed the importance of reducing transmission in the community.

Dr Harries said it is “absolutely critical” people “reduce transmission in the community so that we have time to administer as many booster doses as possible”.

Health secretary Sajid Javid said vaccines “are our best defence” as he urged people to come forward to “help keep yourself and your loved ones safe”.

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