All adults will now be able to get a coronavirus booster vaccine, the Health Secretary announced yesterday, as Ministers try to keep on top of the emerging Omicron variant.

Scientists have urged people not to panic over the news, as at least 11 cases of the strain, first identified in South Africa, have now been found in the UK.

Millions more people were made eligible for an extra jab yesterday as The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that all adults aged 18 to 39 should be offered a booster dose, in order of descending age groups, to increase their level of protection.

The wait for a third dose was slashed from six months to three, after early evidence pointed towards higher antibody levels offering greater protection against Omicron, as it was also announced that teenagers aged 12 - 15 will now be able to get a second injection.

Coronavirus booster vaccines for all adults as scientists tell people not to panic over Omicron variant