Boris Johnson has said “up to 90%” of people currently in intensive care with COVID-19 have not had their booster jab as he urged the nation to take up the offer.
Speaking to broadcasters, the prime minister said there are 2.4 million eligible double-jabbed people yet to take up the offer of a booster and that “the overwhelming majority” of those in a serious condition in hospital with COVID fall into this category.
“I’m sorry to say this but the overwhelming majority of people who are currently ending up in intensive care in our hospitals are people who are not boosted,” the PM said.
“I’ve talked to doctors who say the numbers are running up to 90% of people in intensive care, who are not boosted.
“If you’re not vaccinated, you’re eight times more likely to get into hospital altogether.
“So it’s a great thing to do. It’s very, very important. Get boosted for yourself, and enjoy New Year sensibly and cautiously.”
There are no official NHS figures on the vaccination status of people in intensive care, but new research from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre shows most people in intensive care in London who had COVID last month had not been vaccinated.
Read More: PM says ‘up to 90%’ in intensive care have not had booster and urges people to get jabbed