Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to parts of Germany suspending the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for under-60s
It has been reported that parts Germany have suspended the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca in people below the age of … read more
expert reaction to cuts to the science budget
We gathered these quotes to coincide with our SMC Briefing to capture some of the strong feelings out there on … read more
multi-billion pound funding cuts to science
Both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have said they want the UK to become a science super power. But this … read more
expert reaction to ONS stats on deaths registered weekly in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 19 March 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 latest antibody data from the ONS Infection Survey
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey on antibodies. Prof Kevin McConway, … read more
expert reaction to preprint looking at blood clotting events following vaccination with AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, posted on Research Square looks at the clinical and laboratory features of 9 … read more
expert reaction to study looking at air pollution, physical exercise and cardiovascular disease in young adults
A study published in European Heart Journal looks at air pollution levels, physical activity and risk of cardiovascular disease in … read more
expert reaction to ONS release on COVID-19 vaccination rates in people aged 70 years and over by socio-demographic characteristic, England: 8 December 2020 to 11 March 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released data on the the first dose COVID-19 vaccination rates among people aged … read more
expert reaction to preprint on COVID infections in care home residents following a single vaccine dose
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at the effectiveness of a single dose of either the Oxford-AstraZeneca or … read more
expert reaction to latest R number and growth rates estimates, as 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
expert comment on today’s legal decision that parents can consent on behalf of their children to take puberty blockers
A comment from Professor Dominic Wilkinson on the news that the High Court has ruled that parents can consent to … 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. Dr Simon Clarke, … read more
expert reaction to preprint looking at immune response after a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in those with and without prior infection with SARS-CoV-2
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at the T-cell and antibody response to the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech … read more
preprint on the immune response after the first dose of Pfizer vaccine in those with and without prior infection
A new preprint from researchers at the universities of Sheffield, Oxford, Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham looks at the T-cell and … read more
expert reaction to data on the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on mortality in England, as published on gov.uk
Analysis carried out by Public Health England (PHE) suggests that COVID-19 vaccines have prevented thousands of deaths in those aged … read more
ethnicity in STEM higher education
People from Black backgrounds in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) higher education in the UK have poorer degree outcomes … read more
expert reaction to press release from AstraZeneca announcing primary data on safety and efficacy from the US trial of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
AstraZeneca have published a press release stating that the primary analysis of the Phase III trial of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine … read more
expert reaction to Matt Hancock’s announcement of a new health agency – UK Health Security Agency
Matt Hancock has announced a new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that will lead protection against future health threats. … read more
expert comments on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in children
A Telegraph exclusive article reported on discussions around children in the UK being offered COVID-19 vaccines in summer. A spokesperson … read more
expert reaction to updated Cochrane review of studies on accuracy of rapid tests (including lateral flow and molecular tests) to detect SARS-CoV-2
An updated Cochrane Review, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, assesses the use of rapid, point-of-care antigen and … read more