The federal government will ship textual content message alerts to individuals throughout the UK on Boxing Day urging them to get a booster jab to guard towards the Omicron coronavirus variant.
After talks with ministers, the UK’s cell community suppliers – together with EE, O2, Vodafone and Three UK – have agreed to ship the messages to their tens of hundreds of thousands of consumers.
It comes as a part of the federal government’s Get Boosted Now marketing campaign, which this week has seen £22.5m handed to councils and an “military of vaccine ambassadors” deployed to British streets in a bid to encourage uptake within the run as much as Christmas and New Yr.
A telecoms business supply had earlier informed The Guardian: “Operators really feel just a little nervous about angering some prospects as a result of it’s such a heated situation. We’ll make it occur, however don’t need those that don’t agree with the message responsible us.”
The agreed textual content messages will learn: “GET BOOSTED NOW. Each grownup wants a Covid-19 booster vaccine to guard towards Omicron. Get your Covid-19 vaccine or booster. See NHS web site for particulars.”
Whereas practically 32 million individuals – over 60 per cent of adults within the UK – have now had a booster jab, there may be desperation to get as many jabs in arms as potential to counter the fast unfold of the Omicron variant, as ministers search to keep away from bringing in additional restrictions in England after Christmas.
Early evaluation from the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) means that, though two vaccine doses seem considerably much less efficient towards Omicron than earlier variants, a booster dose nonetheless provides between 60 and 70 per cent safety towards symptomatic an infection, the federal government mentioned.
And though preliminary UKHSA analysis means that an infection with Omicron could also be 50 to 70 per cent much less more likely to lead to hospitalisation than with Delta, well being secretary Sajid Javid has warned that “we can’t danger the NHS being overwhelmed” – given the fast price at which the virus is now spreading.
Greater than 350,000 infections have been reported within the final three days alone in three consecutive file rises, whereas Workplace for Nationwide Statistics information means that an unprecedented 1.7 million individuals had the virus final week.
Mr Javid mentioned on Friday: “We’re texting this Boxing Day for all eligible adults to Get Boosted Now.
“It has by no means been as essential to get protected with the booster – so whether or not it’s in between turkey sandwiches or earlier than the Boxing Day fixtures, no matter your traditions make the booster part of them this yr.
“Thousands and thousands of vaccine slots can be found by the festive calendar so should you’re not boosted and also you get this textual content, take up the supply and get vaccinated.”
In a Christmas message on Friday, prime minister Boris Johnson mentioned: “Although the time for getting presents is theoretically operating out, there may be nonetheless a beautiful factor you can provide your loved ones and the entire nation.
“And that’s to get that jab, whether or not it’s your first or second, or your booster, in order that subsequent yr’s festivities are even higher than this yr’s.”
Kaynak: briturkish.com
