Babak Belurs

Senin, 29 November 2021

COVID-19: Booster jabs for all adults, children over 12 can get second dose and most vulnerable eligible for fourth shot - Sky News

All adults will be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine as the government backed a far reaching expansion of the jabs programme to deal with the potential impact of the Omicron variant.

On Monday afternoon, the UK's vaccine advisory body - the Joint Committee on Vaccine and Immunisation (JCVI) - recommended:

• Booster jabs for everybody over the age of 18

• Shortening the gap between a second jab and a booster from six months to three months

• Giving a second jab to children aged between 12 and 15 - again after no less than three months

• Severely immunosuppressed people given access to another booster - meaning for some, a fourth dose this winter

• Boosters consisting of either a Pfizer vaccine or a half dose of the Moderna jab

Delivering a statement in the Commons shortly afterwards, Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed that the government will be taking on board all of the recommendations "in full".

COVID news live: UK calls 'urgent' G7 meeting to discuss Omicron variant

The move, which will see millions more people in the UK become eligible for a third booster dose, has come in the wake of growing international concern about the new Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Analysis: Thomas Moore, science correspondent

The race is on to top up the immunity of the population as fast as possible.

That means boosters for all adults and second doses for secondary school-age children.

It seems counterintuitive at first to be giving yet more doses of the vaccine when Omicron is so heavily mutated that it would almost certainly reduce its effectiveness.

Remember, this vaccine was designed for the original virus from Wuhan.

But senior health officials believe raising antibody levels would broaden the immune response so that there is protection against the new variant.

They really want that to happen before Omicron gets a foothold and starts spreading widely. Boosting immunity is more effective if it’s done in advance, they say. And that’s why adults will be offered a booster in the coming weeks.

Mr Javid told MPs: "In this race between the vaccines and the virus, the new variant may have given the virus extra legs."

Deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said "scientists around the world" agree that the Omicron variant is "of increased concern", but stressed that there remains a "high degree of current uncertainty" about it.

Speaking at a televised data briefing, Prof Van-Tam said: "I want to be clear that this is not all doom and gloom at this stage and I do not want people to panic at this stage.

"If vaccine effectiveness is reduced as seems pretty likely to some extent, the biggest effects are likely to be in preventing infections and hopefully there will be smaller effects on preventing severe disease.

"But that is something that is there for scientists to work out in the next few weeks."

He added that the booster campaign "has never been more vital than at this point in time".

"To me - and as you know, I love football - we started with 11 players in the team with the Wuhan vaccine and you could say that we kind of picked up a couple of injuries when Alpha came along and then Delta came along, those variants that are different from the Wuhan original strain," Prof Van-Tam said.

"And we've had to use our subs off the bench to keep us in the game. But we are well in the game, and you can see that with the current epidemiology in relation to Delta, that the vaccines are holding up very well and largely keeping us out of trouble.

"Now Omicron is like now picking up a couple of yellow cards to key players on top. We may be okay, but we are kind of starting to feel at risk that we might go down to 10 players.

"And if that happens, or if it is a risk that that is going to happen, then we need everyone on the pitch to up their game in the meantime. And that is really upping their game in terms of boosters and in terms of antibody responses.

"We are not going to wait for the red card to happen, we are going to act decisively now and we are asking everyone to up their game.

"We are asking everyone to play their part in the urgency now of the booster programme - coming forward the moment you are called by the NHS."

Speaking at the data briefing, Dr June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said a "thorough review" and monitoring had found it was safe for those aged 12 to 15 to have a second vaccine dose as there are "no new safety issues".

"Our message to people aged 12-15 is that it is safe to have a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and if you're called to receive your second dose, please go and take that offer. It will ensure that you're further protected from COVID-19," Dr Raine said.

She added that it was "very likely" that an assessment of whether to approve the Pfizer jab for children as young as five would be concluded before Christmas.

Meanwhile, Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of the JCVI, said: "Having a booster dose of the vaccine will help to increase our level of protection against the Omicron variant."

"This is an important way for us to reduce the impact of this variant on our lives, especially in the coming months," he added.

The move has come in the wake of growing international concern about the new Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Six cases of Omicron have been found in Scotland and five have been detected in England.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) identified two further cases of the Omicron variant in England on Monday, in Camden and Wandsworth in London.

The agency said both cases have travel links to South Africa.

Delivering a statement on the Omicron variant to the Commons, Mr Javid said: "We expect cases to rise over the coming days."

The UK called an "urgent" meeting of G7 health ministers today to discuss the variant, and a number of countries have reimposed travel restrictions.

In a statement released after the meeting, the G7 health ministers indicated that they will continue to work closely together in the coming weeks to share information and monitor Omicron and agreed to meet again in December.

JCVI deputy chairman Professor Anthony Harnden had previously said extending the age range for boosters and reducing the gap between second and third doses was "a sensible strategy".

The expansion of the vaccination programme is just one part of a host of new measures aimed at preventing the spread of the B.1.1.529.

Not much is known about the new strain, first detected by researchers in southern Africa, but there are fears it could be more contagious and more resistant to vaccines.

It is hoped measures - including the reintroduction of mask-wearing in some settings in the UK - could buy more time for scientists to gain a greater understanding of the virus.

This measure will be brought back on Tuesday, while PCR tests will be reintroduced for travellers returning to the UK.

Close contacts of anyone who tests positive for the new strain have also been ordered to isolate for 10 days.

"If it emerges that this variant is no more dangerous than the Delta variant, then we won't keep measures in place for a day longer than necessary," the health secretary told MPs.

But also speaking in the Commons on Monday, shadow health minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan called for pre-departure testing to also be implemented.

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2021-11-29 16:12:30Z
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Omicron Scotland: Sturgeon warns of 'challenging' development | HeraldScotland - HeraldScotland

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2021-11-29 15:00:00Z
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FM calls for travellers arriving in Scotland to isolate for eight days - STV News

An Insulate Britain protester who has been on hunger strike in prison for 13 days is being given hospital treatment, the campaign group said.

Emma Smart, 44, from Weymouth in Dorset, was moved to the hospital wing at HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, on Friday.

She was jailed for four months on November 17 for breaching an injunction and immediately vowed to stop eating until the Government moves to insulate homes.

Ms Smart’s husband, Andy Smith, told the PA news agency that she is “feeling a bit weak but she’s still in good spirits”.

In a statement released by Insulate Britain, Smart said: “The window of my cell in the hospital wing is blocked up and there is little natural light, in my previous cell I could see the birds and trees that line the prison fence.

“I have less time to go outside in the prison yard for exercise now.

“All of this is testing my resolve to continue, but I feel that not eating is the only thing I can do from prison to draw attention to those who will have to make the choice between heating and eating this winter.”

Insulate Britain members, including Ms Smart’s husband, are to stage a 24-hour fast outside 10 Downing Street on Tuesday morning in solidarity with her, the group said.

Mr Smith, 45, told PA: “She is feeling a bit weak but she’s still in good spirits.

“I think a hunger strike is about 80% mental (strength) so as long as she’s doing OK mentally I think she’ll probably continue on her hunger strike until the Government make a meaningful statement as to whether they’re going to insulate the homes of Britain or not.”

He said his wife had been relocated to the hospital wing so that prison staff could more easily monitor her health.

“I last spoke to her yesterday but she’s recently had her telephone rights revoked so it’s increasingly difficult to speak to her,” he said, adding that it was not clear why the prison had taken the step.

Mr Smith said: “It is quite difficult, but also aware that other things are difficult.

“We’ve made difficult decisions throughout the last three years. We didn’t step lightly into making decisions to be arrested, we didn’t step lightly into making decisions not to have any children…

“There’s clearly a lot of inaction coming from our Government, they’re not taking the steps that are needed to combat the climate crisis that we’re in, and they would rather just chuck people in prison than actually face up and deal with those problems.”

Ms Smart is one of nine members of the group jailed for breaching an injunction designed to prevent the road blockades which have sparked anger among motorists and others affected by the protests.

They appeared at the High Court on November 17 after they admitted breaching an injunction by taking part in a blockade at junction 25 of the M25 during the morning rush hour on October 8.

They received sentences of between three and six months and ordered to pay £5000 in costs each.

A further nine Insulate Britain protesters are to appear at the High Court on December 14 to face a charge of contempt of court.

Insulate Britain began a wave of protests in September and supporters have blocked the M25, roads in London including around Parliament, roads in Birmingham and Manchester and around the Port of Dover in Kent.

Videos showing furious motorists dragging the climate activists away from the blockades have gone viral on a number of occasions.

The group is demanding that the Government insulate Britain’s “leaky homes” and end deaths it says are caused by winter fuel shortages.

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2021-11-29 11:02:50Z
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Labour: Sir Keir Starmer shaking up top team as shadow cabinet reshuffle begins - Sky News

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is carrying out a reshuffle of his shadow cabinet, with the first departure from his top team confirmed.

A Labour source has told Sky News: "It's all happening - big names being moved."

Two sources have told Sky News that Kate Green has been dismissed as shadow education secretary, while Jo Stevens has been moved from the digital, culture, media and sport brief to become shadow Wales secretary.

'It's all happening - big names being moved - live updates as Starmer carries out surprise reshuffle

The reshuffle comes six months after Sir Keir's last refresh of his shadow cabinet, in the wake of a mixed night for Labour in May's elections across the UK.

After a morning of reports and speculation about a reshuffle, Cat Smith has revealed she is departing as shadow minister for young people and democracy.

She tweeted out a copy of a letter she has sent to Sir Keir, saying: "Although I am grateful for your offer to remain in my current brief, I have only been on the backbenches for four months in my six and a half years as an MP and I will instead be returning to the backbenches."

Ms Smith warned Sir Keir of the "damage" being done by Jeremy Corbyn remaining suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party.

Speaking earlier at an event in Westminster, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: "I don't know the details of the reshuffle or the timing of it, I've been here concentrating on my role now.

"But six months ago I said again we need some consistency in how we're approaching things as an opposition. I want us to see us as a government in waiting, I want us to do that job."

Sky's political correspondent Kate McCann reports that Ms Rayner did get a call from Sir Keir on Monday morning to say she would keep her role, but was not given any detail or consulted about the reshuffle itself.

Sir Keir's previous reshuffle provoked controversy within the party when he sacked Ms Rayner as Labour Party chair.

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2021-11-29 13:41:15Z
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Ava White: Boy, 14, in court accused of girl's murder in Liverpool - BBC News

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murdering a 12-year-old girl who was stabbed to death in Liverpool.

Ava White was out with friends in the city centre when she was attacked on Thursday and died shortly afterwards.

She was stabbed shortly after the city's Christmas lights switch-on at about at 20:40 GMT.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in secure accommodation after appearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

He appeared at the court, sitting as a youth court, charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.

District Judge Wendy Lloyd said he would appear again at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.

Three other boys, aged between 13 and 15, were also arrested and have been conditionally bailed as the investigation continues.

Merseyside Police said officers found Ava collapsed on the ground with "catastrophic injuries" in Church Alley.

She had been involved in a "verbal argument" which "escalated to an assault on her involving a knife", the force said.

Floral tribute left at scene of fatal stabbing

Ava was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital after paramedics arrived but died a short time later.

Floral tributes have been left near the scene where she was attacked.

Ava, who attended Notre Dame Catholic College in Everton, was described as "an incredibly popular girl with a fantastic group of friends" by her head teacher Peter Duffy.

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2021-11-29 10:36:07Z
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Covid: JCVI scientists to announce decision on booster rollout - BBC News

Doctor administering injection to young woman

The UK's vaccine advisory body is set to announce later if it will back an expansion of the Covid booster scheme.

Nine cases of the Omicron variant have been found in the UK so far and Number 10 has set out measures to contain it.

Prof Anthony Harnden, deputy chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said it would be "sensible" to cut time between doses and extend boosters to the under-40s.

Regulations on face masks and isolation rules are due before Parliament later.

The JCVI only advises the government and the final decision on measures to combat Covid always lies with the politicians - but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he intends to wait for the recommendations from the scientific experts who make up the committee.

Meanwhile, an urgent meeting of health ministers from the G7 group of nations will be held later "to discuss the developments on Omicron", the Department for Health said.

Early evidence suggests the new Omicron variant - initially reported to the World Health Organization from South Africa on Wednesday - has a higher reinfection risk.

The Scottish government announced on Monday morning that six cases of the variant had been identified in Scotland, with four in Lanarkshire and two in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

The first UK cases - picked up from analysis of recent positive Covid tests from all around the country - were confirmed on Saturday in Essex and Nottingham.

The third case identified on Sunday came from a visitor who spent time in the Westminster area of London, although the person is no longer in the UK, the Health Security Agency said.

The agency said it was "very likely" more cases would be found in the coming days.

Because there are also high levels of cases of the dominant Delta variant, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said at the weekend he would be asking the JCVI to consider backing the rollout of booster jabs to a wider population than at present.

Prof Harnden, from the JCVI, told BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House programme on Sunday there was a "strong argument" for extending boosters to all adults.

"Accelerating the booster programme both by extending the age range and by reducing the interval between the second dose and the booster dose would be a sensible strategy," he said.

Currently, booster jabs have been restricted to those aged 40 and over, front-line health or social workers, and those with health issues.

Asked in the Radio 4 interview whether everyone over 18 should expect an invitation to get a booster jab, Prof Harnden responded that the offer would come "earlier than we have previously envisaged".

The government announced at the weekend that face coverings will become compulsory in shops and on public transport in England, and pupils in Year 7 and above, plus school staff and visitors, are being advised to wear face coverings in communal areas.

UK arrivals will have to take a PCR test from Tuesday and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

The PM announced the "temporary and precautionary" measures at a Downing Street news conference on Saturday, adding they would be reviewed in three weeks.

Under the rules due to come in on Tuesday:

Everyone entering the UK (other than those coming from the Common Travel Area that covers the Channel Islands and Ireland) will have to take a PCR test by the end of the second full day after their arrival and self-isolate until they receive a negative result
All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of whether or not they are fully vaccinated
Face coverings will be made compulsory on public transport (bringing England into line with the other UK nations) and in shops - but pubs and restaurants will remain exempt.

The government agreed last year to give MPs a vote before introducing new pandemic measures.

This means the latest measures, due to be laid before Parliament later on Monday, need a majority in the Commons before they will go ahead.

Historically the PM has faced opposition to coronavirus restrictions from among his own backbenchers.

Conservative MP Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the Covid Recovery Group, told the Daily Telegraph the measures "will cause chaos" in schools as, under the rules, children will likely be forced into self isolation.

"The government needs to explain when all of this will be brought to an end," Mr Baker said.

Meanwhile, in a virtual address to the SNP conference, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will urge people to "pull together" over the winter months to stop spread of the Omicron variant.

By doing so, she is due to say, there is a greater chance of a more normal Christmas.

Graph showing daily Covid case numbers in the UK on 28 November 2021

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2021-11-29 08:15:57Z
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Minggu, 28 November 2021

Storm Arwen: Pub-goers snowed in for third night as 'coldest night of season' could see temperatures plummet to -10C - Sky News

Customers are facing a third night trapped in the UK's highest pub due to heavy snowfall during Storm Arwen.

Around 60 pub-goers became stranded at the Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales after going to watch an Oasis tribute band on Friday night.

Nicola Townsend, the pub's manager, told Sky News that around 50 guests would be staying for a third night due to the high levels of snow as well as fallen power lines blocking the roads after the storm.

Mountain rescue has helped to remove one person for medical treatment for an existing health condition while a few other people managed to leave in 4x4 vehicles on Saturday night, she added.

"But we're all sleeping down here again tonight. Nobody else is going anywhere now," Ms Townsend said. "We're just going to make sure everybody is safe."

The pub manager said the snow is up to nine feet deep in some areas and they have been advised not to drive anywhere, especially without a 4x4 vehicle.

Since Friday, the pub have held a pub quiz, played movies, treated their guests to a free buffet and served Sunday lunch with Ms Townsend adding that the pub has plenty of supplies to keep them going.

"We've kept the fires roaring. Everyone is nice and warm," she said, adding that the guests were "still in good spirits" and have made friends with each other.

"Everyone came as strangers on Friday night and I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say they have made friends here," she said.

"Our guests have been absolutely amazing - couldn't have asked for better. They've been really patient and really understanding so on behalf of the staff here it's a big thank you from us all for being incredible."

The pub has also shared photos on Facebook showing rows of guests sleeping under blankets in one of the lounge areas.

It comes as forecasters warned the "coldest night of the season" is set to hit with temperatures dropping to as low as -10C (14F).

The Met Office said it expects to see the mercury fall below zero in many parts of the country overnight, including in cities such as London, where it could plummet to -2C (28.4F).

Yellow ice warnings - one across eastern parts of Scotland and another stretching from the northeast of England down to the south coast - are set to last until Monday morning.

The cold snap comes after Storm Arwen wreaked havoc across much of the UK, bringing strong winds, sleet and snow.

At least three people died during the storm on Friday as a result of falling trees.

Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said: "As Storm Arwen is clearing out to Europe, a cold northerly flow of wind has been left behind in the UK, causing some of the bitterly cold temperatures we've seen."

He added: "Parts of Scotland and northern England, where snow is on the ground, will be very cold again tonight, with the temperature certainly falling below zero and even as low as -10C (14F), which would make it the coldest night of the season so far.

"Though this is expected to be the exception rather than the rule, temperatures of below freezing will be widespread, including in London and the South East which could hit -2C (28.4F).

"Even if you do live in a city, you can expect to be scraping frost, ice or even snow off your cars on Monday morning."

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2021-11-29 03:56:15Z
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Senin, 29 November 2021

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