Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to announcement that 60,000 fans will be able to attend the Euro semi-finals
The government has announced that more than 60,000 fans will be permitted to attend the UEFA Euro 2020 semi-finals at … read more
expert reaction to new draft data strategy, ‘Data saves lives: reshaping health and social care with data’, published by NHSX
The new draft strategy, published yesterday by NHSX, claims to set out ambitious plans to harness the potential of data … read more
expert reaction to observational study on hormonal contraception and glaucoma
An observational study published in The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology looks at hormonal contraceptive use and risk of developing glaucoma … read more
expert reaction to PRINCIPLE trial to investigate whether ivermectin is an effective COVID-19 treatment for recovery at home and in other non-hospital settings
It has been announced that Ivermectin, a safe, broad spectrum antiparasitic drug, is to be investigated as a possible treatment … read more
expert reaction to ONS data on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 11 June 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the … read more
expert reaction to the latest fortnightly release on the COVID-19 Infection Survey looking at antibody and vaccination data for the UK, 22 June 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest report from the COVID-19 infection survey, looking at antibody and vaccination data … read more
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