Omicron: Three vaccine doses key for protection against variant

Two doses of a Covid vaccine are not enough to stop you catching the Omicron variant, UK scientists have warned.

Early analysis of UK Omicron and Delta cases showed the vaccines were less effective at stopping the new variant.

But a third booster prevents around 75% of people getting any Covid symptoms.

Meanwhile, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, who chaired a meeting with first ministers of the devolved nations this afternoon, warned the UK faces a “deeply concerning situation”.

Speaking after the meeting of the government’s emergency committee Cobra, he said measures taken so far were “proportionate”, but ministers were “absolutely” keeping everything under review.