Author Archives: Science Media Centre
preprint – modelling study looking at the establishment of the delta (B.1.617.2) variant in England
The JUNIPER (Joint UNIversities Pandemic and Epidemiological Research) Consortium have been modelling the impact of new variants within England. Journalists … read more
expert reaction to the launch of the General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR) being delayed for 2 months until 1st September 2021
Speaking to the House of Commons, the Health Minister Jo Churchill announced that the creation of a central NHS digital … read more
expert reaction to press release from the RECOVERY trial reporting that aspirin does not improve survival for patients hospitalised with COVID-19
The results of the aspirin arm of the RECOVERY trial have been announced, finding that aspirin does not improve survival for … read more
expert reaction to ONS deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 28 May 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 study looking at plant-based, fish and other diets and COVID-19 severity
An observational study published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health looks at plant-based and pescatarian diets and severity of COVID-19 … read more
expert comment on COVID-19 vaccination status, infection and hospitalisation data
A comment from Professor Sheila Bird on COVID-19 vaccination status, infection and hospitalisation data. Prof Sheila Bird, Formerly Programme … read more
expert reaction to FDA approval of aducanumab (Aduhelm) for Alzheimer’s disease, through the Accelerated Approval pathway
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has today approved aducanumab (Aduhelm) to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Prof … read more
expert reaction to MHRA extending the UK approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to allows its use in 12- to 15-year-olds
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today authorised an extension to the current UK approval of the … 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 looking at the gene HLA-DRB1*04:01 in people with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe COVID-19 disease
A study published in the HLA journal looks at the influence of the HLA genotype on the severity of COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to new ONS data on prevalence of ongoing symptoms following COVID-19 infection in the UK: 4 June 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released estimates of the prevalence and characteristics of people with self-reported “long COVID” … read more
expert comment on the current COVID-19 situation
A general comment from Dr Jeremy Farrar on the current COVID-19 situation in the UK. Dr Jeremy Farrar, Director … read more
expert reaction to study looking at risk of reinfection up to 10 months after COVID-19 infection
A study as published in Lancet Healthy Longevity looks at risk of being reinfected with SARS-CoV-2 up to 10 months … read more
expert reaction to research letter looking at blood neutralising antibody levels from people vaccinated with one or two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, against different variants of SARS-CoV-2 including the B.1.617.2 Delta (‘Indian’) variant
A research letter published in the Lancet looks at levels of neutralising antibodies in the blood of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine … read more
expert reaction to latest update from PHE on the Delta variant
Public Health England (PHE) has released more information on the Delta variant first discovered in India (B.1.617.2). Dr Leon … read more
expert reaction to the latest national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report from PHE: 3 June 2021
Public Health England (PHE) has published its latest weekly national influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report. Dr Simon Clarke, Associate … read more
expert reaction to reports that Israel reporting links between Pfizer vaccine and cases of myocarditis in young men
There have been reports from Israel of a possible link between the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and rare cases of heart … read more
CoMix data on social contacts since 17 May easing of restrictions
The CoMix social contacts survey, run by scientists at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, has produced regular … read more
expert reaction to cases of the B.1.617.2 / Delta variant with the K417N mutation
A comment from Dr Jeff Barrett to help shed some light on reports of a ‘Nepal’ variant in the UK. … read more
study on bacterial co-infection and use of antibiotics in patients hospitalised with COVID-19
A new study led by the University of Glasgow with the ISARIC team looks at bacterial infections and antibiotic use … read more