THE First Minister has echoed calls by the Prime Minister for people to get their booster vaccine.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a pre-recorded message this evening that there is a ‘tidal wave of Omicron coming’ as he set out ambitious plans for everyone over 18 to receive an invitation for a booster jab by the end of December.

In response, Mark Drakeford said the Welsh Government was doing everything to speed up the vaccination programme in Wales, but no timeline has been given like that outlined by Mr Johnson this evening.

Mr Drakeford said: "We are learning more about the omicron variant every day.

“This is a fast-moving form of coronavirus, which has the potential to cause a large wave of infections in Wales.

“This could lead to large numbers of people needing hospital treatment at a time when our NHS is under significant pressure.

“Our best defence continues to be vaccination. Emerging evidence shows the booster dose is vital.

“We are doing everything we can to accelerate our vaccination programme to increase the number of people who will receive their booster in the coming days and weeks.

“Older people and those at greatest risk are being prioritised at the moment.

“We are increasing the number of clinics and their opening hours; we have asked all available staff to join vaccination teams to support this national effort.

“Please make having your booster a priority.

“It will be one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against coronavirus and this new variant.

“The cabinet is closely monitoring this rapidly changing public health situation and has moved to a weekly review cycle.

“We are facing a very serious situation and we may need to take further steps to keep Wales safe. I will continue to keep Wales updated.”

Earlier today (Sunday), the UK’s four Chief Medical Officers raised the Covid Alert level to 4, its second highest level, because of the evidence that Omicron is doubling here in the UK every two to three days.

Addressing the nation in a pre-recorded message this evening, Mr Johnson said: “No-one should be in any doubt: there is a tidal wave of Omicron coming, and I’m afraid it is now clear that two doses of vaccine are simply not enough to give the level of protection we all need.

“But the good news is that our scientists are confident that with a third dose – a booster dose – we can all bring our level of protection back up.

“And I know there will be some people watching who will be asking whether Omicron is less severe than previous variants, and whether we really need to go out and get that booster.

“And the answer is yes we do.

“Do not make the mistake of thinking Omicron can’t hurt you; can’t make you and your loved ones seriously ill.

“We’ve already seen hospitalisations doubling in a week in South Africa.

“And we have patients with Omicron in hospital here in the UK right now.

“At this point our scientists cannot say that Omicron is less severe, and even if that proved to be true, we already know it is so much more transmissible, that a wave of Omicron through a population that was not boosted would risk a level of hospitalisation that could overwhelm our NHS and lead sadly to very many deaths.

“Everyone eligible aged 18 and over in England will have the chance to get their booster before the New Year.

“And we have spoken today to the Devolved Administrations, to confirm the UK Government will provide additional support to accelerate vaccinations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“To hit the pace we need, we’ll need to match the NHS’s best vaccination day yet – and then beat it day after day.”