Author Archives: Science Media Centre
EAVE II study on risk of COVID-19 hospitalisations among school-aged children with poorly-controlled asthma
The EAVE II (Early Pandemic Evaluation and Enhanced Surveillance of COVID-19) project has been tracking the COVID-19 pandemic in near … read more
expert reaction to study looking at risk of COVID-19 hospital admission among children aged 5–17 years with poorly-controlled asthma in Scotland
A study published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine looks at risk of COVID-19 hospital admission among children in Scotland aged … read more
expert reaction to information from Regeneron saying they are evaluating REGEN-COV® and next generation antibodies against the new omicron COVID-19 variant
Regeneron has issued a statement to say they are evaluating REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab) against the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant. … read more
expert reaction to a study modelling future rainfall in the Arctic
A study published in Nature Communications uses new climate models to look at Arctic precipitation projections. Dr Gavin Schmidt, … read more
expert reaction to comments made by Stéphane Bancel, the chief executive of Moderna, about COVID-19 vaccines and the omicron variant
The Financial Times have reported on comments made by the chief executive of Moderna, Stéphane Bancel, about the effectiveness of … read more
expert reaction to new JCVI advice on COVID-19 booster vaccines for those aged 18 to 39 and a second dose for ages 12 to 15
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have released their updated advice on COVID-19 booster vaccines for those aged … read more
expert reaction to new temporary COVID-19 measures in education settings
The new temporary measures put in place to “buy more time” for our scientists to understand the situation were announced … read more
expert reaction to six cases of the Omicron variant being detected in Scotland
Scottish health officials have confirmed that six cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in the Scotland. Prof … read more
expert reaction to Omicron detected in 13 people who arrived in Amsterdam on flights from South Africa
The Omicron variant has been detected in samples from 13 people that arrived in the Netherlands from South Africa. … read more
expert reaction to two cases of the Omicron variant being detected in the UK, and new measures being introduced in response
The UK Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, has confirmed that two cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in the … read more
B.1.1.529 variant Q&A
We asked some variant experts to make themselves available today to answer journalist questions at a Q&A about what we … read more
expert reaction to B.1.1.529 variant situation in South Africa; and UK travel restrictions in response
There are reports of the emerging B.1.1.529 variant, predominantly in southern Africa, which have prompted new infection control measures from … read more
expert comments about two SARS-CoV-2 variants, one in Botswana (B.1.1529) and one in the US (B.1.628)
There are reports of two emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, one in Botswana (B.1.1529)* and one in the US (B.1.628)¥ On … read more
expert reaction to study looking at household mixing during lockdowns in England
A study published in Scientific Reports looks at household visitation during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Prof Robert Dingwall, Professor of … read more
expert reaction to announcement from the EMA that they are recommending approval of use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in children aged 5 to 11 years old
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) have recommended the approval of the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children aged … read more
expert reaction to study looking at COVID infection risk as time increases after second Pfizer vaccine dose in Israel
A study published in The BMJ looks at time since receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. … read more
expert reaction to study looking at social media use and depression in adults
A study published in Jama Network Open looks at Social Media Use and Self-reported Symptoms of Depression in US adults. … read more
expert reaction to Today Programme Interview with Pascal Soriot and comments made about T-cell immunity generated from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine compared to mRNA vaccines and the impact on risk of hospitalisation
A few journalists have asked us about comments made by Pascal Soriot, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of … read more
expert reaction to government proposal for a ban on single-use plastics
The government have announced plans to ban problematic plastics such as single-use cutlery and plates in England as part of … read more
expert reaction to perspective looking at the early cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan
A perspective piece published in Science investigates the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof James Wood, Head of Department … read more