Boris Johnson said the “overwhelming majority” of people in intensive care have not had a Covid-19 booster as the PM urged people to get one so they can enjoy the New Year "sensibly and cautiously".
Speaking on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said there were 2.4 million eligible double-jabbed people who were yet to take up the offer of a booster.
“I’ve talked to doctors who say the numbers are running up to 90% of people in intensive care, who are not boosted,” he said.
It comes as nearly 40,000 more Omicron confirmed cases were reported in the UK, taking the total to more than 210,122 - with the variant now accounting for 90 per cent of Covid infections in England.
Global Covid-19 infections have reached a record high as the Omicron variant races out of control across swathes of the planet.
Meanwhile pharmacists are calling for immediate action to address a shortage of lateral flow tests amid unprecedented demand for the kits.
