The COVID-19 Winter Plan, published 23 November, relies on three factors to provide the UK with a “route back to normality”: vaccines, treatments and testing. In addition to PCR testing, lateral flow devices are now being rolled out across England and Wales for the rapid testing of certain occupational groups, community testing and as an alternative to self-isolation following exposure to the virus. How well validated have these tests been? Are they accurate enough for their proposed purposes? And how have they performed to date in mass testing trials?
Documents to download
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Dietary Advice, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding (365 KB, PDF)
Dietary advice given to women before, during and after pregnancy is intended to support both maternal and infant health, and is based on the best available evidence. This note focuses on the latest UK dietary advice given to women from family planning through pregnancy and into breastfeeding. It examines the science behind the advice, trends in its take up, how it compares with international advice and options for improving take up.
Documents to download
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Dietary Advice, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding (365 KB, PDF)
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Vaccines are the most powerful tool against infectious diseases, and there are over 200 COVID-19 vaccines in development. Which COVID-19 vaccines are closer to the finish line? Which ones have been approved already for use in humans? When will a vaccine be available in the UK?
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People’s behaviour has a major role in the success of test, trace and isolate programmes. Uncertainty about whether to report symptoms, low perceived risk of COVID-19 disease and concerns about the consequences of self-isolation are among the barriers to adherence. Has the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies looked at adherence to TTI? What evidence is there on people’s understanding and willingness to be tested, provide contact details and self-isolate? Is there anything that can be done to improve this?
