Boris Johnson has warned the "overwhelming majority" of hospitalised Covid patients do not have the booster jab.
In the latest update ahead of New Year celebrations, the Prime Minister revealed how doctors told him up to 90% of Covid patients currently in intensive care are not boosted.
Mr Johnson said there were 2.4 million eligible double-jabbed people who were yet to take up the offer of a booster.
It comes after the World Health Organisation's (WHO) director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the pandemic could be ended through vaccination campaigns.
According to WHO, the pandemic could be ended by the middle of 2022 if 70% of the population of every country of the world has been vaccinated.
Speaking on Wednesday, Boris Johnson said: “I’m sorry to say this but the overwhelming majority of people who are currently ending up in intensive care in our hospitals are people who are not boosted.
“I’ve talked to doctors who say the numbers are running up to 90% of people in intensive care, who are not boosted.
“If you’re not vaccinated, you’re eight times more likely to get into hospital altogether.
“So it’s a great thing to do. It’s very, very important. Get boosted for yourself, and enjoy New Year sensibly and cautiously.”
Boris Johnson urged people to think about the risk they are running with their own health if they fail to get the booster jab.
He told reporters: “We’re looking at the data and what we’re seeing is that we’ve got cases certainly going up, we’ve got a lot of cases of Omicron.
“But, on the other hand, we can see the data about the relative mildness of Omicron. What we can also see is the very, very clear effect of getting those jabs, getting those boosters in particular – and that’s what’s making a huge difference.
“According to some of the surveys I’ve seen, 90% of the patients in ICU are people who are not boosted. So, think about that. Think about the risk you’re running with your own health if you fail to get a booster.”
Government update on New Year's Eve plans
Boris Johnson said people should enjoy the New Year in a “cautious and sensible way”.
Asked about reports of people travelling across the border from Wales and Scotland into England to celebrate, he told reporters: “I think everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way.
“Take a test, ventilation, think about others – but above all, get a booster.”
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