Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert comments about two SARS-CoV-2 variants, one in Botswana (B.1.1529) and one in the US (B.1.628)
There are reports of two emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, one in Botswana (B.1.1529)* and one in the US (B.1.628)¥ On … read more
expert reaction to study looking at household mixing during lockdowns in England
A study published in Scientific Reports looks at household visitation during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Prof Robert Dingwall, Professor of … read more
expert reaction to announcement from the EMA that they are recommending approval of use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in children aged 5 to 11 years old
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) have recommended the approval of the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children aged … read more
expert reaction to study looking at COVID infection risk as time increases after second Pfizer vaccine dose in Israel
A study published in The BMJ looks at time since receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at social media use and depression in adults
A study published in Jama Network Open looks at Social Media Use and Self-reported Symptoms of Depression in US adults. … read more
expert reaction to Today Programme Interview with Pascal Soriot and comments made about T-cell immunity generated from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine compared to mRNA vaccines and the impact on risk of hospitalisation
A few journalists have asked us about comments made by Pascal Soriot, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of … read more
expert reaction to government proposal for a ban on single-use plastics
The government have announced plans to ban problematic plastics such as single-use cutlery and plates in England as part of … read more
expert reaction to perspective looking at the early cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan
A perspective piece published in Science investigates the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof James Wood, Head of Department … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor … read more
expert reaction to study looking at the theoretical possibility of unborn babies contracting COVID-19 from the mother
A study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology looks at COVID-19 and whether transmission could occur … read more
expert reaction to Austria announcing a national lockdown and mandatory vaccination from February and the general COVID-19 situation in Europe
It has been reported that Austria is to enter a full national lockdown from Monday amid a surge of COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to single case study of a man with migraines who started eating more dark green leafy vegetables
A case study published in BMJ Case Reports follows a man with chronic migraines who adopted a plant based diet … read more
Seqirus on pandemic preparedness – what does it mean to be ready?
Seqirus, a leading manufacturer that specialises in flu vaccines, put together a panel of their experts who were available to … read more
expert reaction to press release from AstraZeneca announcing new analyses of two AZD7442 COVID-19 Phase III trials in high-risk populations confirm robust efficacy and long-term prevention
The press release from AstraZeneca suggests six-month follow-up of their prevention trial showed 83% reduced risk of symptomatic COVID-19 and … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on comparisons of all-cause mortality between European countries and regions: data up to week ending 3 September 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released data on mortality patterns and measures of excess mortality of selected European … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on behaviour of the COVID-19 vaccinated population after being in contact with a positive case in England: 25 to 30 October 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released data from the COVID Test and Trace Contacts Behavioural Insights Survey on the behaviour … read more
Latest results from the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 prevalence across England – round 15 final report
We recently heard from the REACT-1 scientists with interim results from round 15 of their study looking at virus prevalence … read more
expert reaction to preprint with results from round 15 of the REACT-1 study on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in England
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, reports on the latest data from the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 spread across … read more
expert reaction to new NICE guidance on a long-acting injectable HIV-1 treatment
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a draft guidance recommending cabotegravir with rilpivirine, the first … read more
expert reaction to systematic review and meta-analysis on public health measures to reduce incidence of COVID-19
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The BMJ looks at the effectiveness of public health measures in reducing the … read more