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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Kate Lally

Key coronavirus changes following Boris Johnson's announcement

Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Sunday evening after the UK Covid-19 threat level was increased to Level 4.

In a pre-recorded message, the Prime Minister announced changes to the booster vaccine programme, as well as an update on the spread of the Omicron strain of the virus.

Mr Johnson's speech came as he battles with allegations he broke Covid laws by hosting a Christmas quiz last December.

READ MORE: What Boris Johnson said in his announcement to the nation

Speaking from Number 10, the Prime Minister told the nation not to "make the mistake of thinking Omicron can't hurt you".

He described the advanced booster programme as a "national mission", before adding it is ""unlike anything we've done before in the vaccination programme".

Here are five key changes following his national address.

New booster target

The government is bringing forward its target of offering boosters to all eligible target, from the end of January to "by the New Year".

Boris Johnson said: "We know from bitter experience how these exponential curves develop.

"No one should be in any doubt there is a tidal wave of Omicron coming."

Walk-in centres

Bookings for booster jabs will open for all adults aged 18 and over on Wednesday - but some may be able to get theirs sooner.

The Prime Minister added: "The NHS Booking System will be open for these younger age groups from Wednesday, and that’s the best way to guarantee your slot, but in some places you can walk in from tomorrow (Monday)."

Help from the Military

Military personnel will be enlisted to help with the roll-out of the covid boosters.

These will be sent to every region, with vaccine clinics also to extend their opening hours to include early mornings, evenings and weekends.

Other medical appointments could be delayed

"This will require an extraordinary effort. And as we focus on boosters and make this new target achievable, it will mean some other appointments will need to be postponed until the New Year," Boris Johnson said.

"But if we don’t do this now, the wave of Omicron could be so big that cancellations and disruptions, like the loss of cancer appointments, would be even greater next year."

'Get Boosted Now'

Mr Johnson's new slogan is 'Get Boosted Now' amid the urgent Omicron appeal.

The PM said: "No-one should be in any doubt: there is a tidal wave of Omicron coming, and I’m afraid it is now clear that two doses of vaccine are simply not enough to give the level of protection we all need.

"But the good news is that our scientists are confident that with a third dose - – a booster dose –we can all bring our level of protection back up."

He continued: "Let’s get boosted now, get boosted now for yourself, for your friends and your family.

"Get boosted now to protect jobs and livelihoods across this country, get boosted now to protect our NHS, our freedoms and our way of life.

"Get boosted now."

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