infection and vaccination. it s still early days, but scientists say it s good news, to a degree. it s very important to recognize that, even if the were say a 50% reduction in the rate of hospitalisation, because it s doubling every two days, that 50% will soon just be overwhelmed by the increasing case numbers. so that the total impact of omicron is still very, very significant, because it s such a highly transmissible virus and it s growing so quickly. in the face of rapidly rising infections, record numbers of boosters are now being administered. 30 million have beenjabbed so far. from the new year, boosters will be offered to all over 16s, as well as at risk 12 to 15 year olds, those living with someone with a weakened immune system, and teenagers who are immunosuppressed themselves, will get a fourth jab. for the first time, five to 11 year olds in the uk, with specific health conditions, will be offered two smaller doses of the pfizer vaccine eight weeks apart. christmas may be
many lives, and the greek prime minister hopes this approach can work for covid. he is announcing compulsory vaccines for the over 165. compulsory vaccines for the over 16s. translation: j compulsory vaccines for the over 16s. translation: compulsory vaccines for the over 165. translation: 16s. translation: i have no doubt that there political 16s. translation: i have no doubt that there political decision - 16s. translation: i have no doubt that there political decision will- that there political decision will save human lives, because vaccination becomes more thanjust compulsory, it saves lives. it s necessary to help. it s necessary for the whole society. for the whole society. there is a scientific consensus for the whole society. there is a scientific consensus that - for the whole society. there is a scientific consensus that higher| scientific consensus that higher vaccination rates are desirable but there is no consensus about whether to compel people to get vaccinated is
winter period, there would be a consideration it to be using covid passes to access care homes and hospitals were the most vulnerable in society may be meeting those outside, but that is only of the situation deteriorates. he has also added that covid passes are not long term, only as the pandemic is in its worst stages. long-term, only as the pandemic is in its worst stages. in its worst stages. tomos, thank ou. travel has opened up today between the uk and dozens of long haul destinations, including mexico and south africa. 47 countries were removed from the red list at 4.00 this morning, meaning people arriving from those locations no longer need to spend 11 nights of quarantine in a hotel. fully vaccinated people in sydney have been able to go to cafes, restaurants, hairdressers and gyms for the first time today after nearly four months of lockdown. restrictions were eased after the state of new south wales reached a 70% double dose vaccination target for over 16s. shaimaa khalil
fully vaccinated people in sydney have been able to go to cafes, restaurants, hairdressers and gyms for the first time today after nearly four months of lockdown. restrictions were eased after the state of new south wales reached a 70% double dose vaccination target for over 16s. shaimaa khalil reports from sydney. cheering. a day so many in new south wales had been waiting for. especially those in sydney and the surrounding areas. after more than 100 days in lockdown, cafes, restaurants and bars have finally reopened. cheers. it is a massive relief. to see the smiles on these guys faces. i literally took the day off work tomorrow so i could stay up late tonight! there will still be covid 19 rules in place. inside venues, social distancing and masks are mandatory. the main feature of this reopening is that businesses will be responsible for making sure customers provide proof of vaccination.
hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are the author and journalist rachel shabi; and former government special adviser, and now ceo of music industry body uk music, jamie njoku goodwin. tomorrow s front pages. the metro reports that the number of new covid cases is continuing to fall and says hopes are being raised that the uk may be past the peak of the third wave of coronavirus infections. the telegraph leads with the hijack of an oil tanker in the gulf of oman it says iranian backed forces are suspected of carrying it out. the i says the government is set to roll out covid jabs to over 16s. according to the times, the over 16s vaccination programme could begin within the next fortnight. and that story makes the front page of the daily mail as well