Every mobile phone in Britain to get Covid booster reminder on Boxing Day

Each and every cellular cellular phone owner in the British isles will be sent a text message on Boxing Working day urging them to get a booster jab if they have not by now carried out so, adhering to a request from ministers to BT and other networks.

The appeal to individuals aged eighteen and over is the newest try by the Govt to stimulate take-up of third vaccinations as the omicron coronavirus variant rips by way of the region.

All of the cellular community operators will send out the text messages, the Telegraph understands, including BT owner EE, Vodafone, Virgin Media O2 and A few. 

It has the opportunity to attain an approximated 60m people throughout all four nations of the British isles.

The shift arrives soon after Boris Johnson issued a Xmas message urging Britons to get their boosters, stating it was a “wonderful thing” they could do for their families and others.

Hamish MacLeod, director of industry physique Cell British isles, said: “The Govt has requested the cellular operators to produce a widespread text message warn and they have agreed to do this to support battle the national pandemic.”

Ministers formerly utilized nationwide text alerts to urge people to abide by lockdown regulations.

Nonetheless, Mr Johnson has expressed the hope that if enough people get a booster jab it would eliminate the will need for any additional lockdown steps this winter season.

Early research counsel that a third dose of coronavirus vaccine provides eighty-85pc security from the omicron variant. 

It works by topping up the defences delivered by the very first two jabs, aiding the physique generate far more antibodies to struggle the virus. 

About 82pc of people aged twelve and over in the British isles, or 47.2m, have experienced two doses of a Covid vaccine.

But only 56pc, or 32.3m, have gained a third so far, in accordance to the newest figures.

It suggests far more than 20m people are nevertheless suitable to receive their booster – providing their final dose was provided at the very least three months beforehand.

In England, they are obtainable to anyone aged eighteen and over.

Appointments can be booked by way of the NHS’s web-site, when several vaccination centres offer walk-in slots as nicely.

In Scotland, the devolved administration aims to offer appointments to all adults prior to the year’s close and these can be booked online.

The Welsh administration is aiming for the exact same target but it is contacting people directly, with more mature and far more vulnerable people receiving precedence. 

In Northern Eire all adults are suitable, with people ready to reserve online or go to walk-in centres.

The Govt was requested to remark.