Boris Johnson has said that vaccination sites in England will be ‘popping up like Christmas trees’ as the Government ramps up its plans to offer booster jabs to all adults.
In a press conference today, the PM also said that another lockdown is ‘extremely unlikely’ and urged people to not ‘give this virus a second chance’.
Mr Johnson said that 400 military personnel will be assisting the vaccination programme in the coming weeks and urged people to get theirs as soon as it is offered to them.
He appeared in front of the nation today from Downing Street to address the rise in Omicron cases, a new Covid variant that now has 14 confirmed cases in the UK.
Mr Johnson said this afternoon that by the end of January, everyone eligible for a coronavirus booster jab will have been offered one.
Boosters will be offered to people in age order, prioritising the older and more clinically vulnerable.
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Mr Johnson, who will get his own coronavirus vaccine booster on Thursday this week, added: “So whenever your turn comes, get your booster and ask your friends and your family to do the same.
“It’s time for another great British vaccination effort. We’ve done it before and we’re going to do it again.
“And let’s not give this virus a second chance.”
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The time between second jabs and boosters will be halved from six months to three.
The PM added: “Another lockdown like we have seen before is extremely unlikely.
“I will be up front with you about that, but we keep everything under consant review.
“We see no cause to move to Plan B but as I said many times, we have to keep things under review.”
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Health secretary Sajid Javid said: “If we want to give ourselves the best chance of a Christmas with our loved ones, the best thing we can all do is step up, roll up our sleeves, and get protected when the time comes.”
The PM also said he doesn’t believe a return to working from home is ‘necessary’ at this stage.
Featured image: Sky News
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Daisy Jackson -
30th November 2021 
