Thousands of Brits rushed out to get booster jabs today in a bid to save Christmas as Omicron begins to run riot.
People queued for hours at vaccine centres after desperate pleas to get a third jab, amid fears tougher curbs could be on the way.
Boris Johnson refused three times to rule out more restrictions during the festive period as he confirmed the first death from the variant.
Keir Starmer also called on Brits to get a booster and said it was his “patriotic duty” to back No10’s Covid Plan B in today’s vote.
Worried Brits today answered the call to get boosters in their thousands amid fears the rampant Omicron variant could scupper Christmas.
But as people rushed to do the right thing in the battle against the mutation drive, the NHS booking website crashed, those arriving at vaccination centres faced five-hour long queues and online lateral flow tests ran out.
Boris Johnson refused three times to deny he would bring in tougher restrictions during the festive period as he revealed the virus mutation claimed its first life in the UK.
He said only there were “still some important things we don’t know”.
No10 is said to be drawing up a raft of stricter measures that could include limiting pubs and restaurants to outdoor dining.
They could even be ordered to shut entirely if it means people can see their families for the festivities. Around 750 troops were drafted in to help with the booster rollout, retired medics have been asked to return and jabs will even be given on Christmas Day in a bid to meet the target of getting all adults a third vaccine by the end of the year.
Mr Johnson’s official spokesman said: “My understanding is that there will be appointments available on Christmas Day.
“Should individuals wish to come forward, we will make sure there is capacity.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid revealed the rapidly spreading Omicron now represents 20% of Covid cases in England and is threatening to overwhelm the NHS.
And he warned hospitalisations and deaths are expected to “dramatically increase” in the coming days and weeks. Omicron is already infecting an estimated 200,000 people a day in the UK, government officials believe.
That estimate is far higher than official case numbers, due to the astonishing speed at which the variant is spreading.
Today, 1,576 newly confirmed cases were identified, taking the total since Omicron entered the UK to 4,713. Keir Starmer backed the drive to get every adult a booster.
And the Labour leader said in a rare TV address to the nation it was his “patriotic duty” to back No10’s Covid Plan B for minor curbs, which goes to a Commons vote today.
But he also took a swipe at Mr Johnson’s handling of the crisis when he said: “At this time we need leadership that the country can trust.”
Health officials have been working on a Plan C, and an even more draconian Plan D to tackle the “tidal wave” of Omicron.
Scotland’s Health Secretary Humza Yousaf warned stricter rules are “inevitable” due to the spread of the new variant north of the border.
And health minister for Wales Eluned Morgan said curbs are likely “in the next few weeks”.
No10 today temporarily suspended ordering lateral flow kits from its official website amid high demand.
Mr Javid insisted there was “no shortage of tests” but there were difficulties with deliveries. Mr Johnson, who today visited a vaccination centre in Westminster, confirmed the first person had died with Omicron.
Health officials announced 10 patients with the virus have been admitted.
But there is a lag between infections, hospitalisations and deaths. The UK Health Security Agency said the majority of those in hospital had received two doses of a vaccine.
Mr Johnson said on Sunday in an address to the nation he was bringing forward No10’s plan to give everyone a booster by the year’s end.
But chief medical officer Chris Whitty sparked confusion when he said today they would only be offered an appointment by then.
And the NHS will have to axe non-urgent cases to meet the target. Mr Javid insisted people with cancer symptoms would be unaffected.
Heads are warning of schools chaos due to Omicron. They face staff and pupil absences and reports that parents are planning to keep kids home to avoid the virus before Christmas.
Mr Javid admitted he could not guarantee classes would not close again. But No10 insisted schools would be the “very last” thing to shut if tougher curbs come in.
