Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to WHO recommending use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, including in over 65s
The interim recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine have been published. … read more
expert reaction to preprint on an RCT of inhaled budesonide in the treatment of early COVID-19
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at a randomised control trial (RCT) of inhaled budesonide in the treatment … read more
expert reaction to Sun exclusive reporting on efficacy of single dose of the COVID-19 vaccines
An exclusive article in the Sun today stated that the COVID-19 vaccines “offers two-thirds protection in just ONE jab”. … read more
expert reaction to report by the REACT team at Imperial College London on symptoms of COVID-19
A report from the REACT team at Imperial College London finds additional symptoms linked with COVID-19. Dr Tom Wingfield, … read more
expert reaction to observational study on eggs, cholesterol and death
A study published in PLOS Medicine looks at egg and cholesterol consumption, and mortality from cardiovascular and different causes in … read more
PHE background briefing on SARS-CoV-2 variants
PHE asked us to host a background briefing with Dr Susan Hopkins, Strategic Response Director to Public Health England; Professor … read more
expert reaction to study looking at a different coronavirus detected in bats and pangolins in Southeast Asia
A study published in Nature Communications looks at evidence for SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses circulating in bats and pangolins in Southeast … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 29 January 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 preprint on neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 viruses with variant spike proteins by convalescent sera and the Pfizer vaccine
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 viruses with European, South African and United States … read more
expert reaction to study on neutralisation of mutations present in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants by the Pfizer vaccine
A study published in Nature Medicine looks at neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 variants with key spike protein mutations by Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to dam bursting in northern India
There have been reports of a dam bursting in northern India in the state of Uttarakhand on Sunday as a … read more
top tips and a tool for interpreting mathematical models on COVID-19
The pandemic has brought mathematical models to the forefront of the media coverage and we are seeing new models looking … read more
expert reaction to news reports that the Oxford/AZ vaccine gives limited protection against mild disease caused by the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2
There have been news reports that the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine provides limited protection against mild disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 … read more
expert reaction to announcement of results of phase III of Sinovac vaccine in China
Sinovac have announced the phase III results of its COVID-19 vaccine. Dr Peter English, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, … read more
expert reaction to paper on SARS-CoV-2 mutations arising during treatment of chronic infection
A study published in Nature looks at the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 during treatment of chronic infection. Dr Simon Clarke, … read more
expert reaction to latest R number and growth rates, published by the government
The government have released the latest estimates for the COVID-19 R value and growth rates. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus … read more
expert reaction to preprint from Oxford looking at efficacy of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine against the B.1.1.7 ‘Kent’ UK variant of SARS-CoV-2
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at efficacy of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine against the ‘Kent’ variant of SARS-CoV-2, … read more
Q&A with Oxford scientists on new preprint on the vaccine and the B.1.1.7 ‘Kent’ coronavirus variant strain
The University of Oxford have posted a preprint looking at preliminary findings of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and the B.1.1.7 ‘Kent’ … 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 study of climate change, bats and SARS-CoV-2
A study published in Science of the Total Environment looks at the emergence of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, climate change and … read more