The Covid-19 booster vaccine programme is expanding at pace to fight a ‘tidal wave’ of Omicron cases. On Sunday 12th December, the Prime Minister addressed the nation, detailing new guidance on the booster jab to enable as many people as possible to get the third vaccine in the coming weeks. The previous deadline for offering […]
One of the creators of the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine, Prof Dame Sarah Gilbert, has warned that future pandemics could be even more lethal. Prof Dame Gilbert, who was part of the team responsible for developing the Oxford- AstraZeneca vaccine, said that pandemics in the future could be more severe than Covid-19. Speaking at the 44th […]
UK ministers have confirmed new measures to try and limit the spread of a new variant of Covid-19. The Omicron variant, which has been identified in the UK after positive cases were first flagged in Southern Africa, is highly mutated. There are concerns that the variant will spread faster and it could limit protection provided […]
The number of people who died while being treated under the Mental Health Act rose in England during the pandemic, new figures suggest. The findings of new research carried out by the Care Quality Commission show that 490 people died while detained under the act between March 2020 and March 2021. This represents a significant […]
Vaccine advisers have suggested that booster jabs should now be available for over 40s in the UK. The JCVI has advised the government to expand the current booster programme to cover individuals over the age of 40. The body has also recommended a second dose for 16 and 17-year-olds. Initially, the advice was to provide […]
The UK medicines regulator has approved the first pill to treat patients with symptoms of Covid-19. The drug, known as molnupiravir, is the first treatment of its kind to be approved. The UK is the first country in the world to give the drug the green light. Developed by US firms Merck, Sharp and Dohme […]
Covid booster vaccines will now be available at walk-in centres across England, as ministers and health chiefs step up efforts to encourage people to have the third jab. Previously, those who were eligible for the booster jab, which is administered six months after the second dose, had to make an appointment. Now, more than 30 […]
The Government has confirmed the NHS in England will receive a funding injection worth almost £6 billion to tackle backlogs. The announcement comes as Chancellor Rishi Sunak prepares to reveal the latest Budget. Health secretary, Sajid Javid, said that the £5.9 billion is new funding, which will be directed towards clearing backlogs of patients waiting […]
A new study has indicated that lateral flow tests are more reliable than first thought. Researchers from University College London found that lateral flow tests (LFTs) are highly effective in detecting people who have a high risk of spreading Covid-19 and should be trusted. When lateral flow tests were introduced as a means of speeding […]
Health experts have warned of a tough winter ahead, with flu circulating at the same time as Covid-19. Dr Jenny Harries, head of the Health Security Agency, said that the upcoming winter is “uncertain” as flu will spread at the same time as coronavirus. Dr Harries, former deputy chief medical officer for England, urged people […]