This week I voted in support of the latest measures proposed by the Government and supported by the Opposition, to counter the emerging threat of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.

These do not close any facilities, nor amount to vaccine passports for the general public as some have falsely claimed. They do mandate wearing face masks in more places, and evidence of a lateral flow test or vaccination status to access high risk events. They bring healthcare workers into line with care workers for vaccinations.

Some doubt the seriousness of this new variant, while we still do not know enough about Omicron’s severity, its rate of transmission and its susceptibility to vaccines. What is not in doubt is that Omicron is growing much faster than Delta. Latest evidence shows the doubling time of Omicron in the UK is accelerating and could now be as short as every two days, compared to seven days for Delta.

Right now, our single best defence against Omicron is vaccination. Early research from Pfizer suggests that a third dose of their vaccine neutralised the Omicron variant to levels similar to the impact of two doses against the original strain of coronavirus. No-one has claimed that the vaccine prevents transmission, but it seems to reduce the severity of infection, by as much as 85% for the Omicron variant (compared with 95% for the Delta variant). This will reduce the rate of hospitalisation for those who have received their booster vaccine.

Our hospitals, ambulance service and GP practices are already under massive pressure. These latest measures are designed to help prevent them being rapidly overwhelmed as Omicron spreads.

So alongside the Plan B measures, is the significant expansion of the booster programme, announced last weekend by the Prime Minister.

The rollout is getting under way here in South Shropshire. I remain incredibly grateful for the hard work of our local GPs, nurses and surgery staff who have taken on extra work, alongside volunteers, to help accelerate booster jabs.

This programme is being rapidly increased, to ensure as many people as possible can receive their booster jab this month. Bookings can now be made by over 18s through the National Booking Service, and local patients are being invited to special clinics by their GP practices across South Shropshire this weekend and next week.

As the PM made clear, no-one wants to have to do this, with precious NHS staff being redeployed from non-urgent services, and some appointments being postponed until the New Year. But I am clear that without the added protection from this third dose, NHS beds will quickly fill up and the long-term damage to our health and our economy will be even greater.

I urge everyone to do their bit to protect our community, and get your booster jab as soon as you are eligible.