Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to latest weekly summary of Yellow Card reporting following COVID-19 vaccination published by the MHRA, including updated numbers of CVST and other thrombosis events with low platelets
The latest weekly summary of Yellow Card reporting has been published by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), … read more
expert reaction to new government funding announcement from BEIS of £250 million for scientists and researchers
The government have published a press release announcing £250 million additional funding to boost collaboration and protect ongoing research. … read more
expert reaction to press release from Pfizer and BioNTech on efficacy and safety up to six months after second vaccine dose, including data from South Africa
Pfizer have published a press release stating that updated analysis of their Phase 3 study confirms high efficacy and no … 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 new ONS data on prevalence of ongoing symptoms following COVID-19 infection in the UK: 1 April 2021
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released new data on the estimates of the prevalence of self-reported “long COVID”, … read more
immune response in over 80 year olds after vaccination with the Pfizer vaccine
A new preprint on a University of Birmingham-led study supported by the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium looks at the T-cell … read more
expert reaction to study looking at diets high in heat-treated foods and kidney disease in rats
A study published in Science Advances looks at consumption of processed foods and risk of microvascular diseases in rats. … read more
expert reaction to results announced by Pfizer-BioNTech on a phase 3 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents
Pfizer have published a press release announcing positive topline results of their phase 3 trial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine … read more
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