The exponential increase and doublings of omicron cases across the UK are truly terrifying. In London over half the cases are now due to the omicron variant, and hospital admissions have climbed by over a third in a week. The problem is the vaccine booster plan does not address the stubborn and persistent issue of vaccine inequality throughout the country. From the beginning of the vaccine rollout programme in the UK, we have known that vaccine access and vaccine take-up has not been uniform across the country and across demographic groups. This is why the government’s “Omicron Emergency Boost” strategy must include a robust, comprehensive, joined-up national plan to address vaccine hesitancy and low vaccine coverage among diverse and at risk groups.

Source: The Guardian December 17, 2021 18:22 UTC