As the government are looking to avoid bringing in any new restrictions at any cost, the deputy chief medical officer has said we should expect a “bumpy road ahead” this winter.
Professor Van-Tam said that we can expect “respiratory viruses” this winter and that he is “concerned” that flu will add to more problems.
Professor Van-Tam told a press conference on Monday, “A lot of people have asked me about Christmas.
“I think for Christmas and the winter period, we can expect respiratory viruses to be around and we are particularly concerned that flu will come back and add to our problems and it could be quite a bumpy few months ahead.
“But everyone has a key role to play in achieving as safe and disruption-free winter as possible.
“Wear face coverings in crowded places if it is practical to do so, increase indoor ventilation whenever you can, make sure you are vaccinated.”
He added, “And like any medicine, make sure you finish the course.
“And when you are called for your booster, please come forwards at pace so that we as a whole UK can get on and finish the job.”
He further told the conference that data from Israel shows that booster jabs will most probably prevent deaths over the winter period.
The deputy chief medical officer said, “They’re showing that in people aged over 60 in Israel, after a messenger RNA booster, and compared with simply having received the first two doses of Pfizer, in the case of Israel three to four weeks apart.
“They are observing a tenfold reduction against all Covid infections, an 18.7-fold reduction against hospitalisations, and a 14.7-fold reduction against mortality, and that’s on top of the initial course of Pfizer.
“So I believe therefore that if the booster programme is successful, and with very high uptake, we can massively reduce the worry about hospitalisation and death due to Covid at Christmas, and for the rest of this winter.”
Leave a Comment