THE NHS website struggled to cope with demand again tonight as thousands of Brits desperately tried to book their booster jabs.

Boris Johnson rallied the public to get boosted at a press conference this evening – with the website immediately feeling the pressure.

Brits were plunged into a queue as they tried to make an appointment – and were repeatedly referred back to the start of the booking process when they got through.

Tonight the PM drastically ramped up his plea for Brits to get vaccinated as the most daily Covid cases were today reported at a staggering 78,620 new infections.

Data shows boosters offer up to 75 per cent protection from mild infection from Omicron, with The Sun relaunching our hugely successful Jabs Army campaign.

The PM said there were "signs of hope" that the fresh jab blitz was aiding the national battle against Covid.

During the press conference this evening, Mr Johnson said a knockout combination of Plan B measures and boosters would help beat back the virus – but braced the public for more cases, hospitalisations and deaths.

Flanked by top docs Chris Whitty and Nikki Kanani, the PM said: "I think this is the the right approach. It's a double strategy, it's a left and a right."

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It comes after the website crashed on Sunday and Monday as thousands tried to snap up a jab after the PM vowed to make sure all eligible adults get the booster jab this month as part of a "national mission" to beat the mutation.

In a major announcement, he revealed the launch of the Omicron Emergency Boost – giving everyone over the age of 18 the chance to get a third jab by the end of the year.

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Those trying to book their third vaccination online were told that the site was "currently experiencing technical difficulties".

After being placed in a "queue", many users found they were unable to access the booking form at all.

In key developments:

• The UK reported a record 78,610 people testing positive in a single day
• A further 4,671 Omicron cases were reported, bringing the total to 10,017
• Fourteen people are now in hospital with the Omicron variant
• Ministers could not guarantee that schools would be open in January
• Grant Shapps said holidaymakers would need all three jabs in 2022
• Dr Jenny Harries warned a "staggering" number of cases was imminent
• Vaccine passports kicked in for large venues in England

The site also showed repeated error messages and "bad gateway requests".

Some who tried for hours to book their jab described it as "harder than getting Glastonbury tickets".

Those who urgently need medical help or advice, but are not suffering a life-threatening condition, should call 111 to speak to an adviser.

DARK DAY

A total of 78,610 infections were reported by the Government this afternoon, 15.5 per cent higher than the 68,053 on January 8, 2021.

On Tuesday 59,610 cases were reported, and on Monday 54,661.

Meanwhile 4,671 additional confirmed cases of the Omicron variant have been reported across the UK – up 90 per cent on Tuesday's 633.

However, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the figure was higher partly because the definition of an Omicron case had changed, and some cases from Tuesday had been added onto today's total.

The total Omicron cases in the UK stands at 10,017.

The true number is likely several-fold higher. UKHSA estimates that the current number of “daily infections are around 200,000”.

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