BORIS Johnson made a surprise speech TONIGHT after the Covid alert level was raised this evening.

       The UK has been moved to level four due to the increased pressure on the NHS and "high" transmission rate of Omicron.

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       Boris Johnson addressed the nation at 8pm Credit: AFP or licensors What time was Boris Johnsons's announcement today, Sunday, December 12?

       Boris Johnson gave a televised address to the nation at 8pm on Sunday.

       It comes as Chief Medical Officers recommended the alert level was raised to four as Omicron poses "a rapidly increasing risk to the public and healthcare services".

       In a joint statement, they said early evidence shows Omicron is spreading much faster than Delta and that vaccine protection against symptomatic disease is reduced.

       They said: "When vaccine protection is reduced in the way that is happening with Omicron it is essential to top up that protection with a booster.

       "Both booster vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) increase the immune response substantially and show good effectiveness although with some reduction compared to Delta."

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       What did Boris Johnson announce?

       The Prime Minister launched a "national vaccination mission" as the threat of the Omicron variant rises.

       The PM told the nation: "Today we are launching the Omicron Emergency Boost - a national mission unlike anything we have done before in the vaccination programme - to Get Boosted Now.

       "A fortnight ago I said we would offer every eligible adult a booster by the end of January.

       "Today, in light of this Omicron Emergency, I am bringing that target forward by a whole month.

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

       The Prime Minister warned of a "tidal wave" of omicron, which is more resistant to vaccines, and said from "bitter experience" that the situation could rapidly deteriorate.

       He 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."

       The Prime Minister closed his speech by saying: "If you haven’t yet had a vaccine at all, then please get yourself at least some protection with a jab as quickly as possible.

       If you’ve already had your booster, encourage your friends and family to do the same.

       We are a great country. We have the vaccines to protect our people.

       So let’s do it. Let’s get boosted now. Get boosted now for yourself, for your friends and your family.

       Get boosted now to protect jobs and livelihoods across this country. Get boosted now to protect our NHS, our freedoms and our way of life.

       Get boosted now. Thank you very much."

       How can I watch Boris Johnson's speech tonight?

       You can watch the speech on major news channels like BBC News and Sky News.

       It'll also be available on BBC iPlayer and Sky News' YouTube channel.

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