Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to media report suggesting ‘82% of positive rapid tests ‘were correct’’, as reported by the BBC
In an article by the BBC, it’s suggested that analysis of data from Public Health England (PHE) shows 82% of … read more
expert reaction to preprint looking at incidence of rare cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) following COVID-19 infection compared to incidence after vaccination or influenza
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at incidence of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT) after COVID-19, compared to incidence … read more
expert reaction to press release from the European Society of Cardiology on a conference abstract looking at red meat and heart disease
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) have published a press release on an observational study looking at intake of red … read more
expert reaction to ONS data on coronavirus and self-isolation after testing positive in England: 8 March to 13 March 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released data from the COVID Test Trace Cases Insights Survey on self-isolation after … read more
what is the risk of CVT following COVID-19, and how it compares to the risk with vaccines
We now know that Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has been reported to occur in about 5 in a million people … read more
phase 2 trial comparing psilocybin with escitalopram for depression
This phase 2 trial is the first head to head comparison of psilocybin against a licenced antidepressant in patients with … read more
expert reaction to phase 2 trial comparing psilocybin and escitalopram for depression
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine looks at phase 2 trail comparing psilocybin, the active compound … read more
expert comment about data from the UK vaccine roll-out
A comment from Professor Sheila Bird on data from the UK vaccine roll-out in case useful. Prof Sheila Bird, … read more
a period of mourning shouldn’t stop health communications in a pandemic
By Fiona Fox This blog contains the thoughts of the author rather than representing the work or policy of the … read more
expert reaction to preprint looking at the immune responses in over 80 year olds after one dose of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at antibody generation and cellular immune responses in people over the age … read more
expert reaction to the latest fortnightly release on the Coronavirus Infection Survey looking at antibody and vaccination data for the UK, 14 April 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest report from the COVID-19 infection survey, looking at antibody and vaccination … read more
immune response in over 80 year olds 5 weeks after vaccination with one dose of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
A new preprint from the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium and the University of Birmingham looks at the antibody and cellular … read more
launch of second phase of study looking at COVID-19 heterologous prime-boost vaccination
Yesterday we hosted a briefing for science and health journalists on the extension to the COMCOV trial; a trial to … read more
expert reaction to CDC and FDA statement recommending a pause in the use of J&J COVID-19 vaccine in the US, and J&J deciding to proactively delay the rollout of the vaccine in Europe
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) have released a joint statement … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 2 April 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 two papers looking at the transmissibility and severity of the B.1.1.7 variant
Two observational studies, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases and The Lancet Public Health, suggest that the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 … read more
results from the PRINCIPLE trial on inhaled budesonide in COVID-19 patients in the community
PRINCIPLE is a phase 3 randomised controlled trial assessing potential COVID-19 treatments in community settings (non-hospitalised people). The scientists running … read more
expert reaction to preprint from the PRINCIPLE trial giving interim results on inhaled budesonide as a treatment in people at higher risk of adverse outcomes in the community
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study from the PRINCIPLE trial, looks at the use of budesonide, a common corticosteroid, … read more
expert reaction to meeting highlights from the EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) 6-9 April 2021
Meeting highlights from the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) safety committee, the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), have been published, including … read more
expert reaction to latest R number and growth rates estimates, published by the government
The government have published the latest estimates for the COVID-19 R number and growth rates. Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus … read more