Transmission of Covid-19 is already high in the community, mainly still driven by Delta, but the emergence of Omicron adds additional and rapidly increasing risk to the public as well as pressure on our healthcare services. Early evidence shows that Omicron is spreading much faster than Delta and that vaccine protection against symptomatic disease from Omicron is reduced. As such, the UK Covid-19 alert level has been increased to Level 4.
I must emphasise that there is one thing we already know for sure: right now, our single best defence against Omicron is vaccination. Early research from Pfizer suggests that a third booster dose of their vaccine neutralised the Omicron variant to levels similar to the impact of two doses against the original strain of coronavirus.
While the situation with this variant may still get better, we know from experience that exponential growth could lead to a large rise in hospitalisations, and therefore sadly in deaths. Locally, the Royal Stoke Hospital and wider healthcare system is at risk of being overrun and we are already seeing ambulances having to queue to get patients seen. I would not want to see our local healthcare system being overrun and local residents at a higher risk as a result. That is why it is the responsible thing to move to Plan B in England and I support the Government’s decision to do so.
As such, the guidance to work from home has been reintroduced, the legal requirement to wear a face covering has been extended to most public indoor venues and NHS COVID Pass will be mandatory for entry into nightclubs, and venues where large crowds gather. Let me be clear that this is not the introduction of ‘COVID Passports’ as proof of a person’s vaccination status. An individual who is not vaccinated can show evidence of their COVID-status by carrying out a negative lateral flow test. These measures are proportionate and limited, and certainly nowhere near the level of restrictions we faced in the past.
Everyone eligible aged 18 and over in England will have the chance to get their booster before the New Year. As the Prime Minister announced this is brought forwards a month ahead of the previous target and I will be doing all I can to support efforts in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to meet that target.
I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to giving the NHS everything it needs to increase capacity. Recently, in the House of Commons I stressed to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care the need to ensure areas like Stoke-on-Trent receive the support needed to upscale local vaccine delivery. I want to thank all those who have been helping and supporting our world leading vaccination programme in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, as well as all those working in our NHS at this challenging time.
New vaccination sites will be opened, vaccine centre opening times will be increased to seven days a week, with more appointments in the early morning, in the evening and at weekends, and military planning experts will help co-ordinate national efforts.
To deliver this, for a short period NHS staff will need to be redeployed away from non-urgent services, meaning all primary care services will focus on urgent need and vaccination. However, without this effort over the next couple of weeks to give people the added protection from the third dose, the wave of Omicron could cause even greater disruption, pressure on our NHS and cancellations next year.
Whether it is for a booster or for a first and second jab, I strongly urge all those eligible to come forward for their vaccination as quickly as possible. This is the only way to ensure everyone has the highest possible level of protection and we avoid the most serious illness and loss of life.
You can find more information on how and where to get your vaccine using the following links:
How to get a vaccine, where and travelling - Together We're Better
