Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to new SAGE minutes from 16 December 2021
The record of the discussion that took place at SAGE’s ninety-ninth meeting has been published. Prof Paul Hunter, Professor … read more
expert reaction to UKHSA Technical Variant Briefing and use of lateral flow devices (LFDs)
A comment from Professor Sheila Bird on the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) technical briefing document looking at the use … read more
expert reaction to modelling of growth, population distribution and immune escape of Omicron in England by Imperial College London
Modelling by Imperial College London looks at growth, population distribution and immune escape of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. This … read more
expert reaction to modelling of booster effectiveness against omicron by Imperial College London
Modelling by Imperial College London looks at booster vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. This Roundup accompanied an … read more
Imperial modelling on omicron, immune escape and boosters
Imperial modelling has come out which looks at: Imperial Report 49: Growth, population distribution and immune escape of Omicron in … read more
expert reaction to latest data from the ONS COVID-19 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 results from trial investigating molnupiravir for oral treatment of Covid-19 in non-hospitalised patients
Trial results published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) look at the use of molnupiravir for oral treatment … read more
expert reaction to current UK situation with the Omicron variant
Here are some comments from scientists about the current Omicron variant situation in the UK in case useful. Prof … read more
Launch of the PANORAMIC study and deployment of molnupiravir for those at highest risk who test positive for the virus
A national study called The Platform Adaptive trial of NOvel antiviRals for eArly treatMent of covid-19 In the Community (PANORAMIC), … read more
expert reaction to Valneva press release giving homologous booster data for their inactivated, adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine candidate VLA2001
The press release from Valneva states that initial results show excellent immune response after a third dose of VLA2001 administered 7 … read more
Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 (PHOSP-COVID) study: how do patients fare one year on?
Launched in summer 2020, the PHOSP-COVID study aims to understand and improve long-term health outcomes for patients who have been … read more
expert comment about lateral flow tests and evaluation
Here is a comment from Professor Sheila Bird on lateral flow tests and evaluation in case useful. Prof Sheila … read more
expert reaction to study of risks from atmospheric products of commercial chemicals
A study published in Nature looks to uncover global-scale risks from commercial chemicals in the air. Prof Alastair Hay, … read more
expert reaction to press release from Pfizer announcing additional phase 2/3 results on efficacy of their PAXLOVID™ COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment candidate in reducing risk of hospitalisation or death
The press release from Pfizer provides additional phase 2/3 study results confirming robust efficacy of their COVID-19 oral antiviral treatment … read more
expert reaction to people in Scotland being asked to limit socialising to three households at a time in the run-up to Christmas
The Scottish government have announced new measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. Prof Sally Bloomfield, Honorary Professor, London … read more
expert reaction to case series of 10 children with severe treatment resistant epilepsy treated with medical cannabis
A case series published in BMJ Paediatrics Open looks at the use of medical cannabis for severe treatment resistant epilepsy … read more
expert reaction to all 11 countries being removed from the UK’s travel red list from 4am on Wednesday 15 December 2021
The Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, announced the removal of all eleven countries from the travel Red List … read more
expert reaction to press release from Discovery Health giving real-world information on their Omicron outbreak based on 211000 COVID-19 positive test results in South Africa
A press release from Discovery Health, a private health insurance administrator from South Africa, provides real-world data on the Omicron … read more
expert reaction to paper looking at risks of myocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiac arrhythmias associated with COVID-19 vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 infection
A study published in Nature Medicine looks at cardiovascular complications after the first dose or second dose of COVID-19 vaccines … read more
Study looking at risks of myocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiac arrhythmias associated with COVID-19 vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 infection
Scientists undertook a self-controlled case series to investigate the risk of developing of myocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiac arrhythmias within 28 … read more