Under-30s drive surge in people getting their first Covid jab

Figures show an 85% increase in first doses for those aged 18 to 24 and 71% for those aged 25 to 30

The under-30s are driving a surge in people getting their first jab of the Covid-19 vaccine, with the overall number of people rising by almost half in the week up to 21 December, figures show.

The sudden uptick is fuelled by fears of the Omicron variant, as well as the government's Get boosted now" publicity drive, which has seen millions of people come forward for their third Covid shot in the past fortnight.