Whitehall Editor, @Smyth_Chris, digs into everything you need to know about Covid-19 booster jabs.
thetimes.co.uk/article/when-c…
thetimes.co.uk/article/when-c…
How can I book my Covid booster jab?
The NHS should send out invitations 182 days after your second dose – roughly six months – if you are over 50 or have one of the chronic conditions that make younger people eligible.
The NHS should send out invitations 182 days after your second dose – roughly six months – if you are over 50 or have one of the chronic conditions that make younger people eligible.
There are complaints that older people in some areas are yet to receive these invites. As of last night, anyone in the qualifying groups still waiting for an invitation can make an appointment for a booster vaccine a week after becoming eligible. thetimes.co.uk/article/when-c…
Are people getting a flu jab at the same time?
In some areas, yes. But in other areas vaccine stock is not arriving at the right time or GPs do not have the staff or premises for a “one-in-each-arm” policy.
In some areas, yes. But in other areas vaccine stock is not arriving at the right time or GPs do not have the staff or premises for a “one-in-each-arm” policy.
How bad is Britain’s Covid case rate?
The daily rate has been over 40,000 for a week and is close to where it was in July. This is still well below the peak of almost 60,000 in January but far higher than most other western countries – nine times higher than France for example.
The daily rate has been over 40,000 for a week and is close to where it was in July. This is still well below the peak of almost 60,000 in January but far higher than most other western countries – nine times higher than France for example.
Why are Covid cases so high?
England has had no Covid restrictions for 3 months, longer than anywhere else in the developed world.
In addition, we have been slow in vaccinating teenagers. As a result, most confirmed cases are in teenagers.
England has had no Covid restrictions for 3 months, longer than anywhere else in the developed world.
In addition, we have been slow in vaccinating teenagers. As a result, most confirmed cases are in teenagers.
How big a problem is this?
Hospital admissions and deaths look much less worrying. In England, admissions are now averaging 750 a week, lower than they were for much of August and September and far off January’s peak of over 3,800.
Hospital admissions and deaths look much less worrying. In England, admissions are now averaging 750 a week, lower than they were for much of August and September and far off January’s peak of over 3,800.
This is why Boris Johnson insists they are “broadly flat”.
But there is no doubt they have been steadily rising throughout this month. The key question now is how long this rise will continue.
But there is no doubt they have been steadily rising throughout this month. The key question now is how long this rise will continue.
How many people in hospital are vaccinated?
Among the elderly, the vast majority are fully vaccinated – 87% of admissions in over-80s have had both jabs. This is because well over 95% in this age group have had a jab – the unvaccinated are still twice as likely to be admitted.
Among the elderly, the vast majority are fully vaccinated – 87% of admissions in over-80s have had both jabs. This is because well over 95% in this age group have had a jab – the unvaccinated are still twice as likely to be admitted.
Is immunity waning?
There are clear signs that antibody levels are dropping off in the older people who were vaccinated first – this is a key reason for recommending boosters.
It is not yet clear what this means in terms of how much protection is reduced.
There are clear signs that antibody levels are dropping off in the older people who were vaccinated first – this is a key reason for recommending boosters.
It is not yet clear what this means in terms of how much protection is reduced.
Why is the government so confident?
Cases and hospitalisations are still better than modellers predicted when restrictions were removed in July. There have been repeated rises and falls throughout the summer and there is every chance case could start falling again soon.
Cases and hospitalisations are still better than modellers predicted when restrictions were removed in July. There have been repeated rises and falls throughout the summer and there is every chance case could start falling again soon.
What is Plan B and would it work?
The government’s official Plan B involves the return of WFH and compulsory masks, with the introduction of compulsory vaccine passports for large events. Ministers still believe this will not be necessary and have ruled out further lockdowns.
The government’s official Plan B involves the return of WFH and compulsory masks, with the introduction of compulsory vaccine passports for large events. Ministers still believe this will not be necessary and have ruled out further lockdowns.
It remains unclear how big a difference such measures would make. Wales and Scotland both have compulsory masks and vaccine passports and while Scotland’s rate is now lower than England’s, Wales is higher and still rising.
Why is the NHS Confederation calling for a lockdown?
Hospitals, ambulances and GPs are exceptionally busy even before winter hits. With the threat of a bad flu season, this winter will be exceptionally difficult for the health service.
Hospitals, ambulances and GPs are exceptionally busy even before winter hits. With the threat of a bad flu season, this winter will be exceptionally difficult for the health service.
But this is different from the threat last year, which was an overwhelming wave of virus patients.
This is now a very remote risk with vaccines, so the social question becomes whether we want to normalise restrictions on freedom to help save lives during a harsh winter.
This is now a very remote risk with vaccines, so the social question becomes whether we want to normalise restrictions on freedom to help save lives during a harsh winter.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
