After the daily UK death toll climbed to 223 – the highest level since early March – the prime minister’s spokesperson echoed concerns from the NHS England chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, that people needed to be reminded the virus was still circulating to drive up vaccination rates even further.
“I think we absolutely want to get that message out,” the spokesperson said yesterday, adding that there was no reason yet for the government to dust off its “plan B” of winter measures for England because hospitalisations and deaths remained “broadly flat”.
He defended the rollout of jabs for 12- to 15-year-olds, which has been accused of progressing too slowly, and confirmed that the programme would be extended beyond schools.
Doses will be able to be administered at vaccination sites, and parents and guardians of eligible children will receive a text or letter shortly inviting them to book an appointment.
After a cabinet meeting held at the Science Museum yesterday, Johnson’s spokesperson said: “The prime minister stressed that our autumn and winter plan continues to keep the virus under control and that case rates and hospital admissions remain broadly flat.
This story is from the October 20, 2021 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the October 20, 2021 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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