As daily Covid cases exceed 100,000 Sajid Javid makes urgent plea to get vaccinated

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The Health Secretary said that getting a Covid vaccination would benefit people’s loved ones, the country’s ­tireless frontline NHS heroes and ­everyone else. Mr Javid assured the nation it is “never too late” to step up and protect yourself and others from the virus.

The UK registered an alarming record 106,122 new daily Covid infections yesterday, the first time daily cases had exceeded 100,000 since the pandemic began. Mr Javid said: “The Omicron  variant is spreading rapidly across the UK.

“Getting vaccinated this Christmas is the best gift you can give the doctors and nurses who will be working hard throughout the holiday season.

“It’s never too late to come forward and play your part in helping to protect yourself, your loved ones and our country.”

Minister for Care Gillian Keegan urged all unpaid carers, care home and home care workers in particular to get boosted to protect the most vulnerable this winter.

She said carers and ­recipients would be offered priority access at vaccine sites and added: “Our fantastic social care workforce
have shown dedication and professionalism.

“We are calling on them to step up once again to come forward and protect themselves and those around them by getting boosted now, giving those they care for maximum protection over the winter.

“We’re all in this together – please play your part.”

The Government yesterday reported a further 140 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid.

In spite of the surge in numbers, almost six million people aged 12 and over in England have yet to receive the first dose of a Covid jab, an analysis of NHS figures has shown.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has described getting vaccinated as “a moral issue”.

The Most Rev Welby said: “I’m going to step out on thin ice here and say yes, I think it is [a moral issue]. A lot of people won’t like that, but I think it is because it’s not about me and my rights.

“Now, there are some people who, for health reasons, can’t be vaccinated, but it’s not about me and my rights to choose. It’s about how I love my neighbour. Vaccination reduces my chances of getting ill. And reducing my chances of getting ill reduces my chances of infecting others. It’s very simple.

“So I would say yes, to love one another – as Jesus said – get vaccinated, get boosted.

“I understand why people don’t. But I would say, go and get boosted, get vaccinated. It’s how we love our neighbour. Loving our neighbour is what Jesus told us to do. It’s Christmas.”

Former prime minister Tony Blair has slammed vaccine refuseniks as “irresponsible idiots” and called for the country to “go after them and persuade them” to get it.

He said: “Frankly, if you’re not vaccinated at the moment and you’re eligible, and you’ve got no health reasons for not being ­vaccinated, you’re not just ­irresponsible. You’re an idiot.”

Vaccine take-up has waned in major cities such as Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and London. Reports have suggested a third of Londoners have not received any Covid vaccine.

A total of 301 Covid admissions were recorded by hospitals in London on December 20, NHS England said, including King’s College. This is up 78 per cent week-on-week and the highest number for a single day since February 7.

Across England, 1,061 admissions were recorded on December 20, up 34 per cent week-on-week and the highest number for a single day since February 19.

Distressing footage of a coronavirus ward full of patients at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital has been released by the city’s council.

Officials said all patients on the ward are between the ages of 30 and 40 – with not one vaccinated against the deadly virus.

Health Secretary Mr Javid visited St George’s Hospital, in Tooting, south London, yesterday for a first hand glimpse of the crisis.

He talked to staff and met Covid patients.

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