Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to report by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on direct-to-consumer genomic testing
The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee has published its Direct-to-consumer genomic testing report, urging government to seize opportunities … read more
expert reaction to MHRA yellow card reporting relating to periods after COVID-19 vaccines
A few journalists have asked about MHRA yellow card reports relating to periods after the COVID-19 vaccine, as reported on … read more
expert reaction to latest figures for cases of variants of concern (VOCs) and under investigation (VUIs) and technical briefings on variants of concern published by PHE
Public Health England (PHE) has released more data on the Delta variant first detected in India (B.1.617.2). Dr Julian Tang, … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS 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 two studies looking at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgery at NHS hospitals in England and Wales
Two studies published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia look at surgical activity in England and Wales during the COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to latest COVID-19 case numbers as reported on the gov.uk dashboard
A comment from Professor Paul Hunter on the latest figures on the DHSC COVID-19 Dashboard. Prof Paul Hunter, Professor … read more
expert reaction to a study looking at mRNA Covid-19 vaccine safety in pregnant women
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) looks at mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnancy. … read more
expert reaction to CureVac press release and data from its phase 2b/3 trial of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate
CureVac have published a press release announcing the results of the second interim analysis of the international pivotal Phase 2b/3 … read more
expert reaction to preprint from the PITCH study looking at immune response including T-cells after SARS-CoV-2 infection
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at the immune response to COVID-19 following natural infection. Dr Alexander … read more
expert reaction to ONS Infection Survey technical article: analysis of positivity after vaccination, June 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released a technical article looking at COVID-19 infection after vaccination. Prof Kevin McConway, … read more
expert reaction to open letter about contact testing trials in schools
An open letter published in the BMJ to the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, suggests daily contact testing … read more
expert reaction to the first draft of the WHO’s Global alcohol action plan 2022-2030 to strengthen implementation of the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the first draft of their global action plan to strengthen implementation of the … read more
expert reaction to research looking at air quality levels compared to pre-pandemic levels
A new study looks at air quality levels in UK cities compared to pre-pandemic levels. Prof Anna Hansell, Professor … read more
latest results from the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 prevalence across England
The REACT-1 team from Imperial College London has now completed round 12 of their study looking at virus prevalence across … read more
expert reaction to preprint from round 12 of the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 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 study looking at treatments for COVID-19 complications in children
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) looks at treatment of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children … read more
expert reaction to media reports suggesting it’s unlikely there will be an imminent recommendation to vaccinate all 12 to 17-year-old children against COVID-19 in the UK
There have been media reports suggesting that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is unlikely to recommend vaccinating … read more
expert reaction to news reports that the government is planning to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for care home staff
There have been several news reports suggesting that the government is to make COVID-19 vaccines compulsory for care home staff … read more
expert reaction to press release from the RECOVERY trial reporting that Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody combination reduces deaths for hospitalised COVID-19 patients who have not mounted their own immune response
The results of Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody combination arm of the RECOVERY trial have been announced, finding that the antibody combination … read more
new results from the RECOVERY trial
Journalists were able to join our speakers, Professor Sir Peter Horby and Professor Sir Martin Landray, Chief Investigators of the … read more