Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert comments on vaccine safety and monitoring
With a lot of recent focus on vaccines, here are some general comments from Dr Craig Hartford and Dr Penny … read more
expert reaction to latest R number and growth rates for the UK
The government have released the latest estimates for the COVID-19 growth rate and R value. Prof Mark Woolhouse, Professor … read more
expert reaction to announcement of a new NHS pilot on a blood test for more than 50 cancers
The NHS has announced a new pilot using the Garelli blood test to detect multiple different types of early stage … read more
expert reaction to media report reporting AstraZeneca may run an additional study as part of the COVID-19 vaccine trial
It has been reported in the media that AstraZeneca could run an additional study as part of the COVID-19 vaccine … read more
expert reaction to study looking at SARS-CoV-2 and the cell’s internal cholesterol mechanisms
A study published in Nature Metabolism looks at how the cell’s internal cholesterol mechanisms facilitate SARS-CoV-2 entry. Professor David … read more
expert comment on COVID-19 deaths in Scotland and in England & Wales in the first and second waves
A comment from Professor Sheila Bird on COVID-mention deaths registered in Scotland and in England & Wales during the first … read more
expert reaction to England’s regional tiers, as described by Matt Hancock in the Commons
Details of England’s regional tiers has been published today, as described by Matt Hancock in the Commons. Comment on … read more
expert reaction to media reports about the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine phase 3 trial, about dose and subgroups
Recent media reports have discussed dose and subgroups in the Oxford and AstraZeneca phase 3 vaccine trial. Prof David … read more
expert reaction to latest ONS COVID-19 Infection Survey data
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 the UK Government’s Spending Review for 2020, as announced today by Rishi Sunak
In a speech today, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the UK Government’s Spending Review for 2020. Venki Ramakrishnan, President, … read more
more expert comment on lifting of restrictions over Christmas
A lot of journalists were asking for scientists’ responses to the Christmas plans, so here are a few more. … read more
expert comment on next steps for a COVID-19 vaccine
A comment piece from Dr Penny Ward laying out the next stages that need to happen for a successful COVID-19 … read more
expert reaction to study looking at convalescent plasma in people with COVID-19 severe pneumonia
A paper published in NEJM looks at the clinical outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia treated with convalescent plasma, … read more
expert reaction to government announcing that three households can meet indoors during a five-day Christmas period of 23-27 December
The government have announced that three households are allowed to meet indoors during a five day Christmas period from 23-27 … read more
expert reaction to the ONS release on deaths registered in England and Wales, provisional: week ending 13 November 2020
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 press release reporting the second interim analysis of the efficacy of the Sputnik V vaccine
A new press release reports on the second interim analysis of clinical trial data for the Sputnik V vaccine against … read more
expert reaction to the Government’s COVID-19 Winter Plan
The government have released a COVID-19 Winter Plan. Dr Julian Tang, Honorary Associate Professor/ Clinical Virologist, Respiratory Sciences, University … read more
AstraZeneca and University of Oxford media briefing
Journalists from around the world were invited to join a media briefing webinar on the positive high-level results from an … read more
expert reaction to phase 3 interim analysis of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
Experts commented on the phase 3 interim analysis of the Oxford / AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine read more
AstraZeneca Antibody Study
We have heard a lot about vaccines for the elderly. But there are also prophylactic drugs being tested that could … read more