National Security

Climate emergencies threaten our collective security, but governments are flying blind into the storm

— The UK COVID-19 inquiry reveals the previous Conservative government underestimated non-malicious threats like pandemics and climate change. Experts urge placing climate change at the heart of national security plans.

COVID-19

Majority of Britons still back 2020 lockdowns, YouGov poll reveals

— A YouGov poll shows 65% of Britons believe the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns were necessary, despite ongoing debate about their economic and social impacts.

COVID-19

XEC: What you need to know about the new COVID variant

— The XEC COVID variant, first detected in Germany in August, is rapidly spreading and may soon become dominant globally. While its disease impact remains uncertain, it shows a growth advantage.

COVID-19

AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine withdrawn – Right to the end it was the victim of misinformation

— AstraZeneca withdrawing its COVID vaccine from the market has nothing to do with blood clots.

Children's Health

Alarming decline in children’s health and well-being predated pandemic, research reveals

— Research indicates a significant decline in the health and well-being of primary school children from 2014 to 2022, exacerbated by events like Brexit and the pandemic.

COVID-19

As the pandemic turns four, here’s what we need to do for a healthier future

— In its fourth year, a public health researcher outlines principles for a healthier future amid the COVID-19 pandemic: clear guidance, combating complacency, addressing inequalities, vaccine equity, and effective communication.

COVID-19

Mounting research shows that COVID-19 leaves its mark on the brain, including with significant drops in IQ scores

— Two new high-profile studies add to the increasingly worrisome picture of how even mild cases of COVID-19 can have detrimental effects on brain health.

COVID-19

The ‘jab market’ of private COVID vaccines is a good thing for public health – but not for health inequality

— Privately selling COVID vaccines could boost immunity but raises worries about health inequalities. Affordability issues may limit access for lower-income individuals, worsening disparities in vaccine distribution.

COVID-19

JCVI’s spring 2024 battle plan against COVID-19

— The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises the UK government on this year’s COVID-19 spring vaccine programme, prioritising vulnerable groups, extending eligibility to ages 6 months and above.

COVID-19

COVID barely gets a mention these days – Here’s why that’s a dangerous situation

— COVID remains a significant global health threat, causing 10,000 deaths in 50 countries and a 42% increase in hospitalisations in December 2023. Complacency poses risks.

COVID-19

COVID-19: The false promise of Hydroxychloroquine

— A new study published in the Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy journal estimates that the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 was associated with nearly 17,000 deaths in six countries during the first wave of the pandemic.

COVID-19

Boris Johnson’s shocking disconnect from science during the COVID crisis: The blind leading the blind

— For a nation grappling with an invisible enemy, COVID-19, leadership became the compass, the difference between weathering the storm and succumbing to its fury. Yet, at the helm of the UK stood Boris Johnson, a man whose relationship with science resembled a blind date gone disastrously wrong.

COVID-19

Navigating the current COVID landscape: JN.1 wave and vaccination dilemma

— The ongoing COVID-19 wave has the potential to significantly grow, with the ONS estimating a 4.3% virus prevalence in England. One expert warns that the JN.1 wave might surpass the March 2022 surge.

COVID-19

Winter COVID: 1 in 24 people currently affected in England and Scotland

— COVID-19 is experiencing a surge this winter in both England and Scotland. Prevalence is widespread, impacting all age groups, and increasing uncertainty in estimates across English regions, particularly in London and the South East.

COVID-19

Festive COVID alert: Scientists warn of risks with outdated tests

— As the UK faces a surge in COVID-19 cases ahead of the festive season, concerns arise over the reliability of outdated lateral flow tests. Experts warn of compromised accuracy due to buffer liquid evaporation, urging individuals to check test expiration dates.

COVID-19

COVID-19 alert: Emergence of the JN.1 variant

— In the ever-evolving game of COVID-19, a new challenger has entered the ring: JN.1, a viral upstart rapidly rising through the ranks and threatening to throw a winter curveball.