Tag: UK Health Security Agency

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 27 March 2025.

In 2024, 904 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, up from 631 in 2023.

New data from UK Health Security Agency show imported dengue cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) have reached their highest level since dengue surveillance began in 2009.  All cases are linked to travel abroad.

In 2024, 904 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers across EWNI, up from 631 in 2023. Most cases were linked to travel to Southern and South-Eastern Asia. UKHSA is developing enhanced surveillance of dengue cases to better understand where people are acquiring infections and what mosquito bite precautions they were using, in order to help inform public health interventions in future.

Dengue cases have been increasing globally since 2010 with historic highs reported in 2019. In 2023, The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a post-pandemic global increase in both dengue cases and deaths, including in regions previously considered dengue-free, with significant increases particularly noted in Asia and the Americas. A range of factors, including climate change, changing distributions of the mosquito vector, and periodic weather events leading to rising temperatures, heavy rainfall and humidity are driving this increase globally.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recently recommended dengue vaccination for some travellers.

Imported cases of Chikungunya, another mosquito-borne infection, have also risen in EWNI. In 2024, 112 cases were reported, more than double the 45 cases in 2023, with most linked to travel in Southern Asia. These changing patterns may reflect several factors including differences in testing practices, disease burden, global epidemiology, clinician awareness and travel trends.

Zika virus disease cases increased to 16 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland during 2024, compared to 8 cases in 2023, with most travellers returning from South-Eastern Asia. Although Zika virus cases are rarely reported and don’t often cause serious illness, the infection poses a significant risk to pregnant women, as it can be passed to the foetus. There is no drug or vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection, and the most effective way of preventing infection is minimising mosquito bites.

Mosquito-borne infections like dengue, chikungunya and Zika can cause symptoms including fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. These are not always present, and some people will experience no symptoms.

Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at the UK Health Security Agency, said:

It is essential to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections such as dengue while travelling abroad. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can effectively reduce the risk of mosquito-borne infections. Before you travel, check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination, including any recommended vaccinations. Even if you’ve been to a country before, remember that you don’t have the same level of protection against infections as permanent residents and are still at risk.

The Travel Health Pro website, supported by the UK Health Security Agency, has information on health risks in countries across the world and is a one-stop-shop for information to help people plan their trip abroad. Ideally travellers should consult their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist, or travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before their trip for individual advice, travel vaccines and malaria prevention tablets, if relevant for their destination.

In countries with insects that spread diseases like dengue, malaria or Zika, travellers can protect themselves  by using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under a treated bed net where air conditioning is not available.

It is also important for travellers to:

• ensure your routine childhood vaccines are up to date
• have any recommended travel related vaccines
• Follow the ABCD of malaria prevention- ‘Awareness of risk, Bite prevention, Chemoprophylaxis and Diagnose promptly and treat without delay’
• Carry sufficient medications to cover the whole trip
• get valid travel insurance to cover your entire trip and planned activities

As well as mosquito borne infections, UKHSA is reminding travellers that there is an ongoing outbreak of mpox in some countries in Africa. Currently, the risk to most travellers is low and vaccination against mpox infection is not recommended for the majority of people.

Those travelling to areas affected by the ongoing outbreak should take sensible precautions to protect themselves from the risk of infection by reducing touch or sexual contact, especially with individuals with a rash.

You can see a list of countries where cases of mpox clade I have been reported on the Travel Health Pro website. We recommend that anyone planning to travel to affected countries check the latest guidance.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 4 March 2025.

On HPV Awareness Day, parents are reminded HPV vaccine gives protection against cervical cancer and protects both girls and boys from several other types of cancer.

The NHS HPV vaccination programme in England, delivered in schools, has dramatically lowered HPV infections and rates of cervical cancer in vaccine-eligible women, with the strongest effects seen in those offered vaccination at younger ages.

However, with over a quarter of eligible pupils missing out on this vital life-saving protection each year, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is today reminding young people and parents that HPV vaccination is for both girls and boys – as it protects all young adults, men and women, against genital warts and some cancers of the genital areas and anus, as well as some mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers.

The HPV vaccine has been offered to all girls in school year 8 since September 2008. From September 2019, the vaccine has also been offered to year 8 boys. This is because the evidence is clear that the HPV vaccine helps protect both boys and girls from HPV-related cancers. This protection is now provided with just one dose of HPV vaccine.

The UKHSA is urging all young people to take up the HPV vaccine in schools when offered – with parents ensuring they sign the consent forms to enable their children to be vaccinated. Latest figures overall indicate that uptake is stabilising, with encouraging signs of increases when people are first offered the vaccine in year 8.

However, HPV vaccine uptake among school pupils is still well below pre-pandemic levels of around 90%, with over a quarter still not protected.

The most recent coverage data include HPV vaccine uptake rates for the 2023 to 2024 academic year, following the move from 2 doses to 1 dose through the routine adolescent HPV programme in September 2023.

They show that:

• uptake among year 8 females was 72.9% (1.6% higher than the previous year) and 67.7% for year 8 males (2.5% higher than the previous year)
• uptake among year 9 females was 74.1% (1.6% lower than the previous year) and 68.5% for year 9 males (1.2% lower than previous year)
• uptake among year 10 females was 76.7% (6.5% lower than the previous year) and 71.2% for year 10 males (7.4% lower than the previous year)

Data also show the impact of catch-up efforts for HPV vaccination since the COVID-19 pandemic. HPV coverage for female year 9 pupils was 2.8% higher than the previous academic year when the same cohort was in year 8. Similarly for male year 9 pupils uptake was 3.3% higher than in 2022 to 2023.

Dr Sharif Ismail, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

The HPV vaccine is one of the most successful in the world, now given as just a single dose helping to prevent HPV related cancers from developing in both boys and girls.

Some parents may still think that HPV is just for girls to protect against cervical cancer, but since 2019 the vaccine is also offered to all boys in Year 8 – protecting both boys and girls from several cancers caused by the HPV virus.

Although we have seen some increases in the number of young people being vaccinated, uptake is still well below pre-pandemic levels, with over a quarter missing out on this vital protection.

We urge young people and their parents to ensure consent forms are returned so both boys and girls take up this potentially life-saving vaccine when offered. Look out for the invitation from your school and if you missed your HPV vaccine, you can contact your GP practice to arrange an appointment – you remain eligible to receive the vaccine until your 25th birthday.

Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive, Michelle Mitchell, said:

Every year, around 3,300 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK. Thanks to the power of research and efforts of NHS staff, we can eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in our lifetime – the HPV vaccine combined with cervical screening can help to bring about a future virtually free from the disease.

The science is clear, HPV vaccination is safe and effective. It’s vital that access to HPV vaccination and cervical screening is improved to ensure more lives aren’t lost to cervical cancer. I encourage all eligible people to take up these life-saving offers.

Steve Russell, National Director for Vaccinations and Screening for NHS England, said:

The NHS HPV vaccination already helps save thousands of lives, but we know there is more to do to ensure young people are getting protected.

We’re urging parents of boys and girls eligible for a vaccine to consent to their children getting their HPV vaccines from nurses when they visit schools, as it helps protect against a virus causing cancers, including head and neck, and nearly all cases of cervical cancer.

Hundreds of women die of cervical cancer in England each year and 99.8% of cases of cervical cancer are preventable through HPV vaccination and cervical screening, so this vaccine is crucial in our drive to eliminate the disease by 2040.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 12 December 2024.

Flu positivity jumps to 17.1% as vaccine take-up rates lag behind levels needed to protect the NHS and levels of norovirus highest in a decade for the time of year.

The government’s medical experts are calling on eligible groups to ensure they book their flu and COVID-19 vaccinations before the deadline on 19 December. People are urged to protect themselves before Christmas amid a recent rise in flu cases.

The latest edition of the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) COVID-19, influenza (flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and norovirus surveillance bulletin (formally Weekly Winter Briefing) shows that flu positivity in week 49 jumped to 17.1%, compared to 11.6% in the previous week.

Hospitalisations as a result of flu also rose to 5.53 per 100,000 this week, compared with 3.98 per 100,000 in the previous week’s report.

The national booking system for flu vaccination closes on 19 December and with NHS hospitals already managing record flu levels going into winter, top doctors, including the Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, are urging those who are still eligible for vaccination to book their appointments immediately. After this date people will only be able to access the flu vaccine through their GPs and some pharmacies.

The latest figures come as flu and COVID-19 vaccination uptake rates are still not at the levels we need to prevent further rises in admissions. Vaccine uptake currently stands at 37% for those in a clinical risk group.

Alongside increases in cases and hospitalisation due to flu, the latest surveillance data shows that current laboratory reports of norovirus are more than double the 5-season average (see notes). This is the highest number of cases recorded between week 47 and 48 (747 laboratory reports) in a decade – since the data began reporting in this way in 2014.

Norovirus has increased in all regions across England and all age groups, most notably in those aged over 65. This season the increase in reporting has begun earlier than usual, with activity between 18 November and 1 December 33.2% higher than the previous 2-week period.

Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA, said:

The threat of an early flu season is materialising, alongside norovirus rates increasing rapidly. With winter vaccine uptake not yet reaching the high levels we aim for in some eligible groups – including healthcare workers, our forecasts for infection rates are not getting any brighter.

It is vital that those eligible take up the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines before Christmas. In just one week it will be too late to book through the NHS online booking service. Taking up the vaccine will prevent putting your seasonal plans in jeopardy – and more importantly, prevent the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.

The elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk of suffering more serious illness from flu or norovirus, so if you have flu-like symptoms or diarrhoea or vomiting, avoid visiting people in hospital and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer said:

The latest data is clear that flu is rising rapidly, and we are approaching a serious flu wave.

Flu can be unpleasant for many and life threatening for some. With the festive season approaching we can still reduce illness, hospitalisations and deaths by increasing vaccination rates – it is our best defence. Now is the time to get vaccinated if you are eligible.

Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said:

The sharp rise in the number of patients in hospital with flu compared to last year shows just how important it is for anyone eligible to follow the lead of the millions of others and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Vaccines are a vital defence against serious illness and hospitalisation and keep you and your family protected, so with the festive period approaching and just a week to go to book if you are eligible and not yet vaccinated, then please do go online, use the NHS App or ring 119 as soon as you can to get an appointment.

Several factors are likely contributing to the unusually high levels of norovirus activity we are seeing at the stage of the season, including changes in diagnostic testing.

However, it is most likely that the emergence of an unusual norovirus genotype, GII.17 is driving the increases. This genotype has become the most commonly detected in England since April 2024, accounting for 63.2% of characterised samples during the 2024/25 season to date.

Previously, GII.4 noroviruses have dominated globally with GII.4/Sydney/2012 variants persisting as the most frequently detected variant worldwide since the winter of 2012. There’s currently no indication that GII.17 causes more severe illness, but work is underway to conduct further assessment of severity.

To reduce the spread of norovirus, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, as alcohol-based hand sanitisers are not effective against the virus. Stay at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop and disinfect surfaces using a bleach-based cleaner where possible.

The UKHSA COVID-19, influenza (flu), RSV and norovirus surveillance bulletin also showed a slight decrease in RSV cases, while COVID-19 continued to circulate at low levels.

Vaccination against RSV is being offered for the first time this year to anyone who is 28 or more weeks pregnant, along with people aged 75 to 79 years.

The NHS website has information on symptoms, how to help yourself feel better at home, and when to seek medical attention.

The week 50 flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and norovirus surveillance report have been published.

Notes

The 5-season average for norovirus is calculated from the same period during the 5 seasons of 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, excluding years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 11 December 2024.

The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency show that chronic hepatitis C infections have fallen in people who inject drugs in the last 6 years. 7.8% of people in a survey of people who inject drugs had the infection in 2023, compared to 26% in 2017.

Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect the liver. If left untreated, it can sometimes cause serious and potentially life-threatening damage to the liver over many years. It is usually spread by blood-to-blood contact.

The decline in people living with the virus is primarily due to the scale up of very safe and effective treatments for the infection that are curative. The number of people who inject drugs who have ever had the infection (current or in the past) has remained relatively stable over the last decade.

As hepatitis C can be passed on through contaminated blood, people who inject drugs now or in the past are particularly at risk if they have shared or re-used needles and syringes. In 2023, direct needle and syringe sharing rose to 25%, up from 17% in 2014. Direct sharing remained consistently higher among female participants and notably increased in the aged 25 to 34 years group.

Hepatitis C testing is free. GPs, sexual health clinics, genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics or drug treatment services also offer testing for hepatitis C. You can also do a finger-prick test at home to find out if you have hepatitis C.

People can also take the Hepatitis C Trust quiz to find out if they may be at risk of hepatitis C.

Dr Monica Desai, Hepatitis Lead at the UK Health Security Agency, said:

The scale up of effective treatments for hepatitis C has been a gamechanger for progress towards hepatitis C elimination. But we cannot solely treat our way out of this public health challenge. It’s critical that those most at risk of hepatitis – including those who inject drugs – continue to be tested so they can get access to life-saving treatments and stop the virus being passed on and have access to safe injecting equipment.

The latest data also show that while the number of people who inject drugs living with hepatitis B infection in 2023 was very small (0.44%), uptake of the hepatitis B vaccine is declining. Only 62% of participants in 2023 reported receipt of at least one dose, compared to 73% in 2014. Falling uptake is particularly prominent amongst people aged 25 years and under and in people who started injecting drugs in the past 3 years. High levels of vaccine uptake are important for prevention and control of the infection.

In people who inject drugs, HIV prevalence remains low and stable, as it has done over the past decade, while HIV testing uptake continues to be high. Testing uptake has increased by 39% in the past 10 years.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 23 August 2023.

Approximately 13% of new students missed their free MenACWY vaccine in school and remain unprotected against 4 deadly types of meningitis.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and leading meningitis charities are urging students to make sure they have been vaccinated against meningitis and other diseases before the start of the academic year.

The NHS MenACWY immunisation programme for schools is offered to all pupils in year 9 and 10. UKHSA vaccine coverage data shows around 1 in 8 new students going to college and university this year remain unprotected against these 4 strains of meningococcal bacteria, each of which can cause long term disability, serious health complications and can be life threatening.

The latest 2021 to 2022 MenACWY coverage data shows the vaccination rate has fallen to 79.6%, which means that the figure will rise to around 1 in 5 pupils being unprotected when they start college or university in a few years’ time if they don’t catch up with their vaccinations.

All first-year students starting college or university this September and returning students who are not up to date with all their childhood and adolescent vaccines are at increased risk of serious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia and measles as they mix with large numbers of other students from around the country and overseas.

The 3 vaccines students should be up to date with before starting university or college include:

• MenACWY – protecting against 4 common strains causing meningitis and septicaemia
• MMR – protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella
• HPV – protecting against human papilloma virus related cancers such as cervical cancer and other cancers of the head, neck and genital areas, and genital warts

Dr Shamez Ladhani, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

Every year we see new and returning students get seriously ill, with some tragically dying, from what are preventable diseases.

With large numbers of students coming together from around the country and overseas for the first time, and closely mixing, infection can spread easily.

Ensuring you are protected against these deadly bugs is vital. If you’ve missed out on your meningitis (MenACWY), HPV or MMR jabs then contacting your GP for the vaccine should be top of your list of urgent things to do before starting college or university.

Lauren Sandell tragically passed away in her first year at university after contracting MenW disease. Sharon Sandell, Lauren’s mother said:

Lauren was feeling unwell one Thursday evening during her first year in university. She thought it was due to stress from settling into university. She returned home on Saturday evening saying that her legs hurt, and that she wasn’t feeling 100% alright. Then on Sunday morning she got sick and was visibly shaking.

We totally thought it was a panic attack and not at any point did I think her life was in danger. I will always be thankful that she was at home with me when she died but the experience of witnessing it will stay with me forever.

Such a tragic unnecessary end to a life of a beautiful girl who had so much life to live. If she had the vaccine, she would still be here today celebrating her 25th year of life. Up to 10% of young people in her age group have the bacteria naturally at the back of their throat. Please don’t think it can’t be you. Get the MenACWY jab today.

Claire Wright, Head of Insights and Policy at Meningitis Research Foundation, said:

Meningitis can kill healthy people within hours and in the early stages is difficult to distinguish from a bad hangover or more common milder illnesses. By taking up the free MenACWY vaccine, students are not only protecting themselves but also protecting others by stopping the bacteria from being passed on.

For young people who have already been vaccinated it remains important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis because the free vaccine does not protect against MenB, which is the most common cause of life-threatening meningitis amongst this age group.

The MenACWY vaccine is routinely offered to those in school years 9 and 10 but anyone who has missed out can still get a free jab with their GP until their 25th birthday.

The vaccine provides high protection against 4 common strains that cause meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) – MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY – but does not protect against all strains, like MenB, which is often common among students. So it’s important to know the signs and symptoms as it could help save your own or a friend’s life.

Meningitis and septicaemia can develop suddenly. Symptoms include a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, headache, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck. The MenW strain can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea in teenagers and young adults.

Urgent antibiotic treatment and hospitalisation is critical. If you have concerns for yourself or a friend don’t hesitate to seek urgent medical help.

Meningitis Now Chief Executive, Dr Tom Nutt, said:

We know vaccination is the best way to protect against the devastation that meningitis can cause. Over many years the NHS’s vaccination programme has resulted in a steady drop in the number of cases of the disease, with countless lives saved as a result.

But more needs to be done. We estimate that up to half a million young people currently aged between 18 to 24 years old may have missed their MenACWY vaccine at school. In addition, we are growing increasingly concerned about the recent rise in meningitis cases across the UK. While the number of cases is still below those recorded pre-pandemic, any increase in the disease is worrying.

As part of the ‘Tackle Meningitis’ campaign we’re calling on everyone to take advantage of the MenACWY vaccination when it is offered, and please do check your vaccine status with your GP.

And with no vaccine available to protect against all types of meningitis, we’re also urging everyone to learn the signs and symptoms and to seek urgent medical attention if meningitis is suspected.

Michelle Bresnahan, who founded meningitis awareness charity A Life for a Cure following the sudden death of her son Ryan to MenB, said:

It’s important to make sure that getting up to date with your vaccinations is on your to-do list as you begin your preparations for university. Checking with your GP that you have these free vaccines is a quick and easy way to keep yourself safe.

Remember though, not all types of meningococcal disease are covered by the vaccine, including MenB. So, it’s vital you get to know the signs and symptoms, including a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck. Doing so could save your life or that of a friend.

MMR vaccine

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can also have serious consequences. It can be more severe in teenagers and young adults, often leading to hospitalisation. Measles starts with cold-like symptoms and sore red eyes, followed by a high temperature and a red-brown blotchy rash.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are routinely offered to young children, but it’s never too late to get the jab if you’ve missed out. Check your red book or contact your GP surgery if unsure. Anyone can get the MMR vaccine from their GP at any age.

HPV vaccine

The HPV vaccine is proven to significantly lower rates of cervical cancer in women vaccinated at a younger age. The evidence clearly shows it helps protect against other cancers of the genital areas and anus, as well as some cancers of the head and neck. The vaccine works and will save lives.

The HPV vaccine is available routinely for girls and boys in year 8. If you’re eligible and missed out, it’s available for free at your GP surgery until your 25th birthday for:

• girls born after 1 September 1991
• boys born after 1 September 2006

If you missed the vaccine at school, contact your school nurse, school immunisation team or GP surgery to arrange a catch-up.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 28 July 2023.

UKHSA data reveals 70,649 people living with hepatitis C in England in 2022, marking a 45% decrease since 2015.

The latest data published by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that there were an estimated 70,649 people living in England with hepatitis C in 2022. This is 45% lower than the number of people in 2015, thanks to improved access to antivirals that cure the infection.

NHS England has treated more than 80,000 people since 2015 as part of its national elimination programme, meaning more people have now been treated and cured of the virus than are left to treat. Of those treated, more than 80% are from the most deprived areas in England, highlighting the role of eliminating hepatitis C as a key driver of reducing health inequalities.

Eliminating hepatitis C and hepatitis B is a key priority for both UKHSA and NHS England, in order to reduce the impact of infectious disease in this country and to meet the World Health Organization’s elimination target by 2030. UKHSA’s strategy, including this hepatitis C target, was launched this week, setting out the organisation’s mission to prepare for, prevent and respond to health threats, save lives, and protect livelihoods.

Hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus that can cause life-threatening liver disease, including cancer. However, those infected often have no symptoms until many years later when their liver has been badly damaged. The virus is spread through blood-to-blood contact, most commonly in the UK by sharing needles contaminated with the virus – but even sharing razors or toothbrushes with someone with the infection could pass it on. People born in countries with higher prevalence of hepatitis C, such as in Eastern Europe and South Asia, or those who have had medical treatments abroad are also at increased risk.

While there has been huge progress over recent years in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis, challenges remain. While effective and curative treatments are available, the latest data from UKHSA shows that a small but not insignificant number of successfully treated individuals become re-infected with the virus, so maintaining prevention services is critical.

UKHSA is working with partners to prevent, detect and treat the infection – for example, by working with regional operational delivery networks (ODNs). UKHSA has enabled ODNs to streamline their own data and focus on the remaining people that need to be found and treated.

Dr Sema Mandal, Deputy Director, Blood Borne Viruses at UKHSA, said:

Hepatitis C treatment has improved dramatically over recent years, but we need to identify people with the infection early to keep on track with elimination by 2030. Many people remain undiagnosed, often because they have no symptoms or are unaware that they have ever been at risk.

If you have ever injected drugs – even if it was only once or years ago – you could be at risk of hepatitis C. If you think you could be at risk, speak to your GP or do a test at home.

As part of its elimination programme, NHS England has expanded its range of options for finding the remaining cases of hepatitis C across all settings. Earlier this year, a free and confidential online testing portal was launched, enabling people to order an at-home testing kit to find out if they have the virus and receive treatment if needed. So far, more than 4,500 people have ordered testing kits, making it easier for those who might not have had access to existing service providers to get tested.

Anyone in England concerned they might have hepatitis C can order a home test kit, or speak to their GP, local pharmacist or specialist drug and alcohol service.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, said:

Finding and treating more than 80,000 people as part of our hepatitis C elimination programme is a huge achievement and I’m delighted that we remain on track to eliminate the virus as a public health concern by 2030.

Earlier this year we launched a new service on the NHS website to enable people to confidentially order at-home testing kits, and so far over 4,500 people have used this kit to get tested.

Hepatitis C treatment is simple to take and highly effective, with people usually cleared of the virus within 3 to 4 months. If anyone is worried they might be at risk, it’s never been easier to get tested and be treated, or receive peace of mind, at the first opportunity.

Health minister, Will Quince said:

The data speaks for itself. We are making huge headway in eliminating hepatitis C, with England on track to be one of the first countries in the world to do so.

Deaths and prevalence of the virus have fallen consistently thanks to improvements in diagnosis and access to treatments. We are at the forefront of tackling this serious disease, by swiftly procuring the best treatments and tackling inequalities through targeted screening and will continue to work towards the World Health Organization’s target of eliminating this virus by 2030.

Rachel Halford, CEO of The Hepatitis C Trust, said:

The progress towards hepatitis C elimination in England is extraordinary and demonstrates the importance of collaboration between affected communities, government, and healthcare professionals in order to achieve success.

As we get closer to the government’s hepatitis C elimination target date, there is still work to do to make sure that we don’t miss the target.

You can go many years before you experience any symptoms of hepatitis C but the damage the virus can do to your liver as it goes undetected can be life-threatening. People can be exposed to hepatitis C in a number of ways, including having a blood transfusion before the early 1990s, having medical treatment or a tattoo abroad or via injecting-drugs use.

Getting yourself tested has never been easier. Free and confidential tests from the NHS are now available online. If you’re worried about hepatitis C, get tested, get treated, get cured.

UKHSA’s strategy to eliminate hepatitis C includes plans to:

• enhance the evidence base, surveillance and evaluation of public health interventions on blood-borne viruses to support and improve delivery of NHS and local authority services critical in reducing new infections, preventing avoidable illness and deaths
• improve understanding of why people acquire new blood-borne virus infections or reinfections and are not retained in care, including barriers to testing, treatment and care to help us and system partners identify and respond to outbreaks, and optimise communications and initiatives that reduce transmission
• reduce health inequalities around blood-borne viruses through improved understanding of how to identify and reach undiagnosed and under-engaged populations by drawing on our surveillance data and understanding of behavioural science and informing targeted NHS testing and treating initiatives to address gaps in access and care

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 19 June 2023.

Teenagers and eligible GBMSM under the age of 25 will only require a single HPV jab from September, following updated advice from JCVI.

The change reflects evidence building up over recent years from a range of studies from around the world that shows that a single dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine offers robust protection that is comparable to 2 doses. Based on the evidence, other countries, such as Australia and Scotland, have already made the move to one dose.

The HPV vaccine helps to prevent HPV related cancers from developing in boys and girls. While most types of HPV are harmless, some high-risk types can lead to the development of cancers, including cervical cancer, cancers of the head and neck (mouth and throat) and cancers of the anus and genital areas.

The HPV vaccine has been part of the NHS routine vaccination schedule since 2008 and is one of the most successful in the world, with high uptake and millions of doses given.

From September 2023:

• routine adolescent HPV immunisation programme for all children in school year 8 (aged 12 to 13 years) will move from 2 doses to one dose, offered mainly in secondary schools – this includes children not in mainstream school via a community clinic delivery model
• eligible gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) under the age of 25 will move from 2 doses to one dose, offered through sexual health clinics
• eligible GBMSM aged 25 to 45 years will remain on a 2-dose schedule, offered through sexual health clinics
• eligible individuals who are immunosuppressed or those known to be HIV-positive will remain on a 3-dose schedule
• catch-up: eligible individuals who started their HPV vaccination schedule and have already received one dose of the vaccine by September 2023 will be considered fully vaccinated – those who missed out on their one dose HPV vaccine can catch up until their 25th birthday via their GP practice

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) reviewed evidence gathered over several years and ran a public consultation, with their final advice to health ministers on changes to the programme published in August 2022.

Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) published a review in April 2022 which concluded that a single-dose of HPV vaccine ‘delivers solid protection against HPV’ that is comparable to a 2-dose schedule.

The reviews also concluded that immunocompromised individuals, including those who are HIV positive, should continue to receive 3 doses as there is limited evidence regarding the efficacy of a single dose in this group.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Immunisation Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

The HPV vaccination programme is one of the most successful in the world and has dramatically lowered the rates of cervical cancer and harmful infections in both women and men – preventing many cancers and saving lives.

The latest evidence shows that one dose provides protection as robust as 2 doses. This is excellent news for young people.

If you missed your HPV vaccine, it is vital you get protected. Contact your school nurse, school immunisation team or GP practice to arrange an appointment – you remain eligible to receive the vaccine until your 25th birthday.

National Director for Screening and Vaccinations Steve Russell said:

This is another step forward for our world-leading HPV vaccination programme, which saves lives by significantly reducing the risk of cervical cancer.

With one quick HPV jab now making it simpler than ever to reduce your risk of cancers caused by the virus, it’s so important that people come forward when invited. Along with getting your HPV vaccine, it is also still vital to book in for your cervical screening appointment, which checks for high-risk HPV and remains one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

The NHS HPV vaccination programme in England has been shown to have dramatically lowered HPV infections and rates of cervical cancer in vaccine-eligible women, with the strongest effects seen in those offered vaccination at younger ages. HPV vaccination also protects men and women against genital warts and other cancers of the genital areas and anus, as well as some mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers. Reductions in diagnoses of genital warts to the end of 2022 have been recently reported by UKHSA.

A study published in The Lancet in 2021 found that cervical cancer rates were 87% lower in young women who had been eligible for HPV vaccination when they were aged 12 to 13 years, compared to young women who had not been offered vaccination, providing strong evidence the programme is preventing cervical cancers. Overall, the study estimated that the HPV programme had prevented about 450 cancers and 17,200 pre-cancers up to mid-2019.

The latest UKHSA report published in December 2022 on the routine adolescent HPV vaccination programme for 2021 to 2022, which is primarily delivered in schools, shows that coverage in year 8 and year 9 pupils is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 6 June 2023.

Last year, gonorrhoea diagnoses were highest on record and syphilis diagnoses were highest since 1948.

New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published today shows record levels of gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses in 2022.

The latest data shows:

• gonorrhoea diagnoses increased to 82,592 in 2022, an increase of 50.3% compared to 2021 (54,961) and 16.1% compared to 2019 (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic) – this is the highest number of diagnoses in any one year since records began in 1918
• infectious syphilis diagnoses increased to 8,692 in 2022, up 15.2% compared to 2021 (7,543) and 8.1% compared to 2019 – this is the largest annual number since 1948
• people aged 15 to 24 years remain the most likely to be diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• in 2022, there were over 400 diagnoses of STIs made each day among young people

UKHSA is reminding everyone having sex with new or casual partners to wear a condom and get tested regularly, whatever their age or sexual orientation. Testing is free and confidential and you should get tested even if you are not showing any symptoms.

Though STIs are usually easily treated with antibiotics, many can cause serious health issues if left untreated. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease, while syphilis can cause serious, irreversible and potentially life-threatening problems with your brain, heart, or nerves.

Dr Hamish Mohammed, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

We saw more gonorrhoea diagnoses in 2022 than ever before, with large rises particularly in young people. STIs aren’t just an inconvenience – they can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners. Condoms are the best defence, but if you didn’t use one the last time you had sex with a new or casual partner, get tested to detect any potential infections early and prevent passing them on to others. Testing is important because you may not have any symptoms of an STI.

If you are having condomless sex with new or casual partners, regular testing for STIs and HIV is essential to maintain good sexual health. Testing is free and can be accessed through local sexual health clinics, university and college medical centres or through self-sampling kits sent discreetly through the post.

In 2022, there were 2,195,909 sexual health screens (diagnostic tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis or HIV) performed by sexual health services, an increase of 13.4% compared to 2021 (1,936,455).

While the increase in gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses will in part be due to increases in testing, the scale of the increase in diagnoses strongly suggests that there is more transmission of STIs within the population.

Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics and at risk of becoming untreatable in the future, making it vital that people test early and diagnose the infection so that they can prevent passing it on.

Regular screening for STIs and HIV, on at least an annual basis, is essential to maintain good sexual health for everyone having condomless sex with new or casual partners. In addition:

• women, and other people with a womb and ovaries, aged under 25 years who are sexually active should have a chlamydia test after having sex with a new partner or annually
• gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men should have tests for HIV and STIs annually or every 3 months if having condomless sex with new or casual partners

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 16 May 2023.

UKHSA has launched a 10-year science strategy, setting out how UKHSA’s science can save more lives and contribute to the UK’s ambition to be a global science superpower.

The strategy sets out how the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) scientific capabilities – including genomics, vaccine evaluation, surveillance, data science, diagnostics and toxicology – will be deployed to prepare for future health security hazards, respond to current threats to save lives, reduce harm, protect livelihoods and essentially build the UK’s health security capacity.

Through investment in scientific workforce and deeper partnerships with industry and academia, the strategy sets out UKHSA’s ambitions to:

• predict and anticipate health threats, through unique and expert skills in genomics, data science and surveillance, including disease vector (such as mosquitoes and ticks) surveillance
• create a more secure environment, by enhancing our understanding of the threats in the environment and building scientific defences against these hazards
• reduce and eliminate health threats, by strengthening the scientific evidence underpinning health protection programmes – at home and abroad
• act on the scientific evidence, translating data, knowledge and insights into practical actions
• unlock the potential of scientific assets, and secure the legacy from the pandemic to increase the impact of our science on health and economic prosperity, strengthening vaccine and diagnostic development and evaluation and data science

Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Advisor at UKHSA, said:

We saw the art of the possible during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with genomic data allowing the rapid identification and characterisation of variants enabling the rapid development and evaluation of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.

Science was the backbone of the world’s response, helping us to understand the virus, how to best protect ourselves and ultimately live safely with the virus. UKHSA will deploy its unique scientific capabilities working with partners to protect lives and livelihoods from the health threats we are facing now and those we will detect, prevent and control in future.

Professor Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:

UKHSA protects our communities from infectious diseases and the impact of chemical, radiological and other environmental health hazards. Our diverse scientific capabilities and partnerships are the foundation of our work, underpinning everything we do.

We are already working to continuously protect the public from existing and emerging health threats, but our new strategy will ensure the UK is ready to tackle all current and future health threats quickly and effectively, securing the best health outcomes and greater prosperity for the country.

Health Minister Maria Caulfield said:

Cutting-edge science showed its power throughout our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to protect people from potential future health threats.

UKHSA’s new science strategy will ensure the UK remains one of the world’s science superpowers, while protecting people from illness and reducing pressure on NHS services – helping to deliver on the government’s priority of cutting waiting lists.

Minister of State at the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology George Freeman MP said:

The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for the importance of health economic resilience and security with big lessons for enhanced pathogen detection, biosecurity, pandemic preparedness and better understanding of the real drivers of health economic resilience. As well as learning why some populations, from cities to entire countries, were remarkably more resilient than others, as revealed by the work of the G20 Reform for Resilience Commission.

UK leadership in pathogen sensing, rapid genomic sequencing, vaccine manufacturing and clinical informatics proved to be vital in saving millions of lives.

The UK’s major investment in life sciences in the last 10 years has paid dividends and helped attract billions of new investment in mRNA drug and vaccine technologies, and clinical trials.

This is why it’s so important for UKHSA to have a clear scientific capabilities plan, which builds on the investments we are already making to support this vital £94 billion life sciences sector, including most recently the £350 million joint government and industry backing for life sciences manufacturing in the last 2 years alone, our commitment to double funding for dementia research to £160 million a year by 2024 to 2025, and £50 million funding for medical research charities.

Health security is economic security: for the UK and the globe.

Through this work, the agency will identify and address threats rapidly, protecting people’s health and livelihoods, reducing the burden on NHS services and ultimately limiting the costs associated with major outbreaks and incidents.

Our developments include a new Centre for Climate and Health Security, including delivering a 5-year assessment report on the Health Effects of Climate Change. In addition, UKHSA is working in partnership to accelerate and expand its role in new diagnostics and developing the organisation’s genomic capabilities to detect threats to health rapidly and effectively, as well as supporting the development of the vaccines and therapeutics that we need to protect health.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 4 May 2023.

Parents are being asked to check children are fully up to date with their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations by checking their vaccine record in their red book.

Data published today by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows there has been a rise in measles cases.

Between 1 January and 20 April this year, there have been 49 cases of measles compared to 54 cases in the whole of 2022. Most of the cases have been in London, although there have been cases picked up across the country and some are linked to travel abroad.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can lead to serious problems such as pneumonia, meningitis, and on rare occasions, long-term disability or death. Symptoms include a high fever, sore red watery eyes and a blotchy red-brown rash, and it is particularly easy to catch in environments when in close contact with others.

In recent years, the number of children vaccinated against measles has fallen. Uptake for the first dose of the MMR vaccine – which protects against measles, mumps and rubella – in children aged 2 years in England is 89% and uptake of 2 MMR doses in children aged 5 years is 85%. This is well below the 95% target set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is necessary to achieve and maintain elimination.

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, uptake for routine childhood immunisations has fallen globally, leaving many children unprotected from serious infections and countries at increased risk of outbreaks. Measles is now circulating in many countries around the world and WHO has warned that Europe is likely to see a resurgence unless countries catch-up children who missed out.

Children are offered the first dose of the MMR vaccine when aged one year and the second dose aged 3 years 4 months. UKHSA is urging parents of young children, teenagers and adults to check they are up to date with their MMR vaccines, particularly before they travel this summer and before attending summer festivals where measles can spread more easily.

Healthcare professionals have been alerted to the recent rise in cases and asked to be vigilant to further cases whilst also working with communities to increase vaccination uptake.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

We are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their 2 MMR doses. It’s never too late to catch up, and you can get the MMR vaccine for free on the NHS whatever your age.

Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella and help stop outbreaks occurring in the community.

Measles spreads very easily and can lead to complications that require a stay in hospital and on rare occasions can cause lifelong disability or death, so it is very concerning to see cases starting to pick up this year.

During the COVID-19 pandemic we saw a fall in uptake for the routine childhood vaccinations, including MMR which leaves us vulnerable to outbreaks, especially as people travel abroad for summer holidays to places where measles is more common.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, so anyone with symptoms is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice before visiting the surgery or A&E. This will help to prevent the illness spreading further.

NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening, Steve Russell, said:

The NHS has an inspiring history of successful vaccination programmes that have proven time and time again they are the best tool in our arsenal against the spread of highly infectious diseases and since vaccination for measles cases was introduced, over 4,500 lives have been saved.

The MMR vaccine has helped prevent the development of potentially life-threatening illness among millions, and it is clear that when uptake falls, infections rise, so I strongly urge parents to review the status of their child’s vaccinations so they can keep them and others protected from measles, mumps and rubella.

To see if your child is up to date with their MMR vaccines, check your child’s personal child health record (PCHR), known as the red book, or contact your GP practice. If anyone has missed one or both doses of the MMR vaccine, contact your GP practice to book an appointment. It is never too late to catch up.