We all know that the vaccines being delivered around the world right now work by protecting us from getting Covid. But what we still don’t know is whether they’ll also prevent us transmitting the virus to others. We simply don’t … Read More
Covid could become no more virulent than a cold once enough people gain immunity
The flu virus mutates so fast we need to tweak the vaccine every year. And while it’s a concern that Covid could throw up a new variant resistant to our vaccines, Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College … Read More
Covid-19 vaccine makers continue their fight to stay ahead of the disease
While the number of people infected with Covid-19 remains high it’s more likely that new variants will appear, so vaccine developers are having to deal with the rapidlyevolving virus and are looking for ‘second generation’ vaccines. Danny Altmann, professor of … Read More
Exciting new Covid vaccine to fight mutations will get us back to normal life
It’s the age of the scientist. Their stature has shot up as the world wakes up to the fact we are all dependent on their ingenuity to give us the tools to manage the coronavirus, its variants and the pandemic. … Read More
Don’t be choosy over your Covid vaccine, be grateful for any – choice is a luxury
Quite a few of my friends ask me which vaccine is best? The question floors me. It smacks of ingratitude. We’re lucky to have one! A year ago we’d have shaken our heads in disbelief that we’d have even ONE vaccine now. … Read More
Would you get Covid-19 squirted up your nose to help create new vaccines?
If you were young and healthy would you volunteer to be infected with coronavirus to test vaccines and treatments in the world’s first Covid-19 “human challenge” study? No? Well, give a thought to the 90 people between the ages of 18 and … Read More
Low-dose Oxford University vaccine is one of many new potential jabs in Covid fight
Vaccine development has progressed at an incredible pace, with the World Health Organisation reporting 173 vaccine candidates in pre-clinical trials, 64 that have moved to human clinical trials, and three that have authorisation for use in the UK. Part of … Read More
We can’t play fast and loose after being vaccinated and go back to normal
By any criteria we’re doing very well as a country to get vulnerable people vaccinated. However, with the Government’s new dosage regime of delaying the second dose for 12 weeks rather than three, it’s logical to ask how well protected … Read More
Why friends with Covid but no symptoms may be less infectious – and what we must do now
How infectious are people who test positive for Covid-19 but have no symptoms? And what is their contribution to the transmission of live virus? These questions are explored by Allyson Pollock, professor of public health at Newcastle University, who’s always … Read More
Is the Covid vaccine safe for people with allergies like hayfever and conjunctivitis?
Some of my friends have been asking me if they can have the Covid vaccination if they have allergies like hayfever. The answer is, yes, they can, despite concerns being raised when two healthcare workers had reactions to the jab in December. … Read More