Tag: UK Health Security Agency

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 25 April 2023.

The study aims to learn about antimicrobial resistance in healthy people to inform better ways of tackling antimicrobial resistant infections in different populations.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched surveillance to assess the extent of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthy people across the country.

Up to 2,000 people will be invited to submit stool samples and nose and throat swabs for the study, which will help scientists understand more about the factors influencing bacteria in our body. By understanding more about the drivers of AMR in the community, we will better be able to design ways to reduce antimicrobial resistant infections.

A large part of AMR understanding is based on bloodstream infections in hospitalised patients – infections at the most severe end of the spectrum. However, everyone has bacteria in their bodies and some of these bacteria may be antibiotic resistant. Often these bacteria won’t cause any harm, unless they get into a part of the body they shouldn’t be – like the urinary tract or lungs, or if they spread to other people.

Through the surveillance study, UKHSA scientists seek to understand more about the levels of antibiotic resistant bacteria found in the general population, including carbapenem-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) amongst others, in humans across England.

The study will also explore the prevalence of the fungus Candida auris in the community. The surveillance will also enable UKHSA to compare the change in prevalence of AMR in the population compared to a previous study in 2014 focused on ESBLs.

The work builds on UKHSA’s extensive AMR surveillance programme and aims to further the understanding of how AMR impacts different segments of society, to enable the design of better ways to tackle AMR, tailored to different populations if needed.

The study will look at age, sex, ethnicity, and geographical location to understand if there are any key differences between different demographics. It will also consider different risk factors for AMR, including:

• travel
• diet
• healthcare contact
• household transmission

Dr Russell Hope, Deputy Director, AMR Division at UKHSA, said:

Antibiotic resistant bacteria can cause very severe and difficult to treat infections – killing thousands of people every year in this country and globally, as well as having a huge economic impact. However, very little is known about how commonly antibiotic resistant bacteria are found in the general ‘healthy’ population – mixed in with the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria that live in our guts.

By understanding more about the burden of AMR in healthy people in the general population and the factors that mean someone is more likely to be carrying a resistant organism, we will be able to design better ways to tackle AMR in different populations.

We can all take action to reduce antibiotic resistance. Please trust your healthcare professional and take antibiotics only as prescribed, never share with others and don’t save for later. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them puts you and your loved ones at risk of having an untreatable infection in future.

Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally, but inappropriate usage and overuse of antibiotics can accelerate this process. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are less likely to respond to treatment, causing serious complications, including bloodstream infections, sepsis and hospitalisation, so it is important to take antibiotics only when they are prescribed and necessary for the condition.

Health Minister Maria Caulfield said:

AMR is a silent killer that costs over a million lives across the world per year.

The UK is a global leader in tackling this threat and we launched a vital Call for Evidence last year to help us shape our next 5-year National Action Plan on AMR.

This new study will build the evidence base so we can better understand what causes AMR to help us ramp up our efforts to tackle this deadly issue.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 24 April 2023.

Uptake of adolescent vaccines offered to young people in school year 9 are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that uptake of the adolescent vaccines offered to 13 and 14 year olds who were in school year 9 during the 2021 to 2022 academic year has fallen, leaving many young people unprotected from life-threatening diseases.

The teenage (Td/IPV) booster is the last routine dose for tetanus, diphtheria and polio, and provides young people with long-lasting protection into adulthood. The MenACWY vaccine helps protect young people against 4 types of meningococcal disease.

These rare but serious diseases can cause life-threatening illness leading to hospitalisation, permanent disability and even death.

Uptake of the Td/IPV and MenACWY vaccines for children in school year 9 was 69%, around 7% lower than the previous year and well below pre-pandemic levels (87.6% for Td/IPV and 88% for MenACWY in the 2018 to 2019 academic year). The data suggests that the NHS has already caught up many children who missed out on their vaccines, with uptake improving to around 80% for children in year 10.

All the routine adolescent immunisation programmes have been impacted by the pandemic and coverage is not back up to pre-pandemic levels. UKHSA is urging parents and guardians to ensure eligible young people are up to date with their adolescent vaccines before they leave school.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

Vaccines protecting against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and meningococcal disease are offered to young people in school year 9 and are being delivered in schools right now. In recent years we have seen vaccine uptake fall due to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Many young people who missed out on their vaccinations have already been caught up, but more needs to be done to ensure all those eligible are vaccinated.

Children and young people who have missed out on their teenage vaccines should contact their school nurse, school immunisation team or GP surgery to arrange a catch-up.

These vaccines offer the best protection as young people start their journey into adulthood and mixing more widely – whether going to college, starting work, travelling or going to summer festivals.

Health Minister Maria Caulfield said:

It’s fantastic to be supporting World Immunisation Week and I encourage parents to ensure their children receive the routine vaccinations they’re eligible for, including the vaccine for meningitis and the 3-in-1 booster which protects against tetanus, diptheria and polio.

It’s incredibly important for children to stay up to date with routine vaccinations as this remains one of our best defences against infectious diseases, not just for the person being vaccinated but for their family, friends and those around them.

If your child is due for a vaccination, you don’t need to wait to be contacted – speak to your school nurse, school immunisation team or GP surgery to book an appointment.

Steve Russell, National Director for Vaccination and Screening, said:

The 3-in-1 teenage booster and the MenACWY vaccination are extremely well-researched and proven to provide protection against a range of diseases that can cause serious illness.

NHS School Aged Immunisation Services offer these vaccinations in secondary schools, as well as the HPV vaccination that protects against a range of cancers and we strongly urge those eligible and their family members and guardians to ensure they are up to date, and if not to come forward for their vaccines as soon as possible – it’s the best way to keep you protected.

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

Committee recommends COVID-19 vaccine for children with underlying medical conditions.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that clinically vulnerable children aged 6 months to 4 years should be offered a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

Although young children are generally at low risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, infants and young children who have underlying medical conditions are over 7 times more likely to be admitted to paediatric intensive care units.

Over one million children aged 6 months to 4 years in the US have received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine since June 2022. Data from the US showed the most common side effects reported were similar to those seen with other vaccines given in this age group, such as irritability or crying, sleepiness, and fever.

In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) first authorised use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years on 6 December 2022.

Following that authorisation, the JCVI has advised that children aged 6 months to 4 years who are in a clinical risk group should be offered the vaccine. The JCVI does not currently advise COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 6 months to 4 years who are not in a clinical risk group.

Eligible children should be offered 2 doses of the vaccine, with an interval of 8 to 12 weeks between the first and second doses.

NHS England has confirmed it will begin offering vaccinations to those eligible in England from mid-June. Parents should wait to be contacted before coming forward.

Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair of the JCVI’s COVID-19 Committee, said:

For the vast majority of infants and children, COVID-19 causes only mild symptoms, or sometimes no symptoms. However, for a small group of children with pre-existing health conditions it can lead to more serious illness and, for them, vaccination is the best way to increase their protection.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

COVID-19 is still in circulation, with thousands of new cases reported every week. The extra protection offered by the vaccine could be important for young children in clinical risk groups, who are at greater risk of severe illness. The virus is not going away so I would encourage all parents to bring their child forward if they are eligible. Parents should wait to be contacted by their local health professionals.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 5 April 2023.

A new risk assessment, published by a multi-agency cross-government committee, reports that tick borne encephalitis is now likely to be present in England.

The risk assessment is based on both human cases and the detection of the virus in ticks in several areas of the country. The risk to the general public in the UK remains very low.

There have been 3 cases of probable or confirmed tick-borne encephalitis acquired in England since 2019, including one linked to the Yorkshire area in 2022. This case in 2022 is the first confirmed case in England. The virus has also been detected previously in the Hampshire and Dorset, and Norfolk and Suffolk border areas but may also be present elsewhere as the tick species that carries the virus is widespread in the UK.

The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a virus carried by ticks and is common in many parts of the world, including many countries in Europe. It causes a range of disease, from completely asymptomatic infection, to mild flu-like illness, to severe infection in the central nervous system such as meningitis or encephalitis. Symptoms of this are similar to other causes of meningitis, and can include a high fever with headache, neck stiffness, confusion or reduced consciousness.

Investigations into why the virus has been found in ticks more frequently in recent years are under way, but is likely due to a number of factors.

The risk to the general public in the UK remains very low from TBEV, but the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has recommended changes to testing in hospitals so that any further cases can be detected promptly and will be enhancing surveillance – including asymptomatic surveillance in people in the areas where TBEV has been detected.

Ticks can carry other diseases such as Lyme disease – a bacterial infection which can be treated with antibiotics – so UKHSA is reminding the public to check themselves for ticks after they have been outdoors and remove them promptly and correctly if they are found.

Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, said:

Our surveillance suggests that tick-borne encephalitis virus is very uncommon in the UK and that the risk to the general population is very low. Ticks also carry various other infections, including Lyme disease, so take steps to reduce your chances of being bitten when outdoors in areas where ticks thrive, such as moorlands and woodlands, and remember to check for ticks and remove them promptly.

UKHSA carries out surveillance of vector-borne disease in the UK, closely monitoring sentinel animals, tick and mosquito species and their distribution, and the infections that they carry, to understand more about emerging infections in this country.

The public are reminded that they should seek GP advice if they are unwell after a tick bite, and should seek urgent medical attention if they or someone they know:

• has symptoms of meningitis:
  • severe headache
  • stiff neck
  • pain looking at bright lights
• develops neurological symptoms:
  • a fit (seizure), if not known to be epileptic
  • sudden confusion or change in behaviour
  • weakness or loss of movement in arms and legs
  • facial dropping, change in vision or slurred speech

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

2022 data shows the average vaccine uptake across England has dropped to 61.5%, its lowest level since 2016.

The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is given to pregnant women to help protect their babies against whooping cough from birth during their first weeks of life.

Whooping cough can be a serious, life-threatening disease in young babies, usually requiring hospital treatment.

The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data on the maternal whooping cough vaccine programme shows that uptake has dropped to its lowest level in 7 years.

Data for 2022 shows an average uptake across England of 61.5%, a decrease of 3.9% since 2021 and 7.6% from 2020. Coverage in London is particularly low at 41.4%.

The maternal vaccine provides newborn babies with protection against whooping cough which lasts until they are old enough to be routinely vaccinated, with the immunity from the mother passed through the placenta during pregnancy.

Maternal vaccination was first introduced in 2012 due to very high rates of whooping cough. A study published last year found the vaccine provided 89% protection against hospitalisation and 97% protection against death from whooping cough in babies born to vaccinated mothers.

It is important that babies continue to be protected against this serious disease, though rates have fallen since 2012. Whooping cough is associated with difficulty breathing, and can lead to pneumonia, permanent brain damage and even death, particularly in infants under 6 months.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

The whooping cough vaccination programme for pregnant women has been hugely successful in protecting newborn babies in the first weeks of life from serious disease and hospitalisation.

Whooping cough can be very serious for young babies, particularly under 6 months, and can lead to pneumonia, permanent brain damage and even death. That’s why it’s so important that all expectant mothers get the vaccine at the recommended time from 20 weeks, to give their babies the best protection from this serious and highly contagious disease.

If you aren’t sure whether you’ve had the vaccine, or would like further information, speak to your GP or midwife.

Health Minister Maria Caulfield said:

Whooping cough can have serious consequences on the health of newborn babies, and in some cases it can be life threatening.

It’s really important we do what we can to protect the health of our babies, so I want to encourage all expectant mothers to come forward for the free whooping cough vaccine and give your baby the protection it needs.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 22 March 2023.

Sustained reduction in case numbers means targeted vaccine programme is no longer needed and can be wound down in the summer.

A sustained reduction in mpox (monkeypox) case numbers across England and the success of vaccination in helping to control the outbreak means the vaccination programme is no longer needed as an outbreak control measure and can now be wound down. Anyone eligible for mpox vaccination is urged to come forward for the vaccine in the coming months to protect themselves before the summer.

First doses remain available for gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) at highest risk from mpox until 16 June with second doses available until the end of July.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will continue to closely monitor case numbers and will retain the ability to stand up the vaccination programme if the risk of infection rises significantly.

Mpox cases have fallen across the UK from a high of 350 per week in July 2022 to just 6 new cases so far from the start of 2023. Three people acquired mpox in the UK and 3 were returning travellers.

Vaccination has played a crucial role in protecting people and reducing case numbers. People who are eligible but have not yet received 2 doses of the vaccine are being encouraged to come forward and book their first dose by 16 June 2023 and be booked in for their second dose by the end of July 2023.

Everyone at highest risk from mpox is eligible for 2 doses of the vaccine; UKHSA data has shown that one dose of the vaccine offers 78% protection against the virus from 14 days after receiving it, and the second dose aims to provides longer term protection.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director, Public Health Programmes at UKHSA, said:

While mpox infection is mild for many, it can cause severe symptoms for some so it’s important people remain alert to the risks. Vaccination is key to reducing the severity of symptoms and preventing further transmission. Uptake of first doses has been strong but only around a third of those who have received their first dose have had their second dose so far.

I would urge everyone that’s eligible to come forward for both doses so they have maximum long lasting protection.

I’d like to thank the NHS, public health professionals and third sector organisations, in particular their frontline staff, who sprang into action and worked hard to bring down mpox cases significantly. UKHSA will monitor cases of mpox very closely and will re-establish the vaccination programme if we need to.

The mpox vaccination programme was introduced in June 2022 in response to the outbreak and this approach was endorsed by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). In England, 67,898 people have received their first dose of the vaccine and 26,619 people their second dose, since the programme began.

While the targeted vaccination programme is being wound down with the outbreak now controlled, vaccines will continue to be offered to some groups at higher risk of mpox. This includes healthcare workers who are or will be caring for a patient with mpox and some staff in sexual health clinics assessing suspected cases. Family or other close contacts of someone with mpox who are at highest risk of severe illness will also continue to be offered vaccination, including children aged under 5 years, immunosuppressed individuals, and pregnant women.

The UK was the first in the world to detect the outbreak, acting immediately to alert global health partners, control further transmission and secure vaccines for all those at highest risk in the UK. The government remains committed to sustaining reduced transmission of mpox and achieving the ultimate goal of eliminating transmission of the disease in the UK.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, said:

It’s really positive to see the numbers of mpox cases continuing to decline, these results prove that our targeted approach to vaccination rollout has had real impact.

With thanks to our healthcare professionals and frontline workers for administering vaccinations our initiative has been effective in protecting those people most at risk against this debilitating disease.

While mpox cases have fallen, I urge anyone who is eligible for vaccines to come forward and have them before the programme winds down this summer.

Steve Russell, NHS director of vaccinations and screening, said:

The speed and precision of the NHS vaccination drive against mpox has led to a drastic reduction in transmission of the virus among the community and we are now – thanks to NHS staff and sexual health services – in a position to wind down the programme.

There is still time to get your first and second doses if you haven’t already, which will provide long-term protection against the virus and any possible future outbreaks so please do book an appointment while the offer is available on the NHS.

In February 2023, £200,000 was given to 14 schemes to boost engagement and outreach activity to reduce sexual health inequalities across England, including increasing uptake of the mpox vaccination.

Projects are offering services including vaccinations in community settings such as pubs and music festivals, raising awareness of sexual health issues at sex-on-premises venues, and communications to reduce anxiety around the mpox vaccine.

Lauren Duffy, Head of Sexual Health at LGBT Foundation, said:

Since receiving funding, we have hosted a community workshop which has helped create key messages and approaches that we are now using with our communities to increase confidence around accessing the mpox vaccine and other sexual health services.

This would not have been possible without the fund, and we are delighted to have been able to raise awareness in this way to ensure all those eligible in our area are coming forward for the mpox vaccination.

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

Gonorrhoea cases have resurged in England since the easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions in 2021.

Provisional data published today indicates that gonorrhoea diagnoses from January to September 2022 were 21% higher than those reported over the same period in 2019. Data also indicates that during the first 9 months of 2022, gonorrhoea cases were higher than those reported over the same period in each of the last 3 years.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding people to wear a condom and get tested regularly if having sex with new or casual partners. Testing is free and discreet and you should get tested even if you are not showing any symptoms.

The data shows that the total number of gonorrhoea diagnoses from January to September 2022 (56,327) was 21% higher when compared to the same period in 2019 (46,541), the year when the highest number of diagnoses was reported.

Young people aged 15 to 24 years remain most likely to be diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to more frequent changes in sexual partners. Though STIs are usually easily treated with antibiotics, some STIs, including gonorrhoea, can have serious consequences as they can cause serious health issues such as infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating, pain and discomfort in the rectum and, in women and other people with a uterus or ovaries, lower abdominal pain and bleeding between periods.

People infected with gonorrhoea will often have no symptoms, especially for infections in the throat, vagina or rectum. This lack of symptoms makes it important to test regularly when having sex with new or casual partners.

Dr Katy Sinka, Consultant Epidemiologist and Head of the STI section at UKHSA, said:

Condoms aren’t just about preventing unwanted pregnancy; they are the main defence against STIs. If you have had condomless sex with a new or casual partner, it is even more important to get tested to detect any potential infections early and prevent passing them on to others.

You can get free condoms at your local sexual health clinic and if you’re under 25, you can also get them online.

Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health and Social Care said:

Practising safe sex and getting tested regularly is important to keep you and your sexual partners safe.

Condoms and early detection are essential in preventing and addressing the rise in cases we are currently seeing of gonorrhoea.

Many STIs including gonorrhoea and chlamydia can be diagnosed easily and treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, common STIs can lead to complications and long term health problems.

Testing is simple – samples are quick to take, can be collected at home, and sent off by post for analysis, making early detection accessible to everyone.

Dr Claire Dewsnap, President of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said:

The rise in gonorrhoea cases provides an important reminder of the importance of testing for STIs and wearing a condom every time you have sex. By getting tested at least once a year, regardless of whether you’re showing symptoms, you can help minimise the risk of catching or passing on STIs when having sex. Delaying access to the right care and treatment also risks developing longer term problems which can be more difficult to address.

If you are concerned about STI transmission, sexual health clinics are on hand to help.

Previously, we have seen cases of gonorrhoea with resistance to ceftriaxone, the main antibiotic used to treat the infection. While these ceftriaxone-resistant cases remain rare, it is a reminder to all people having condomless sex with new or casual partners to get tested regularly at sexual health services to ensure prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 2 February 2023.

England has succeeded in meeting the new World Health Organization (WHO) targets for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver, and if untreated can lead to serious liver damage including cirrhosis, cancer as well as death. It is passed on through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. An estimated 206,000 people are living with chronic hepatitis B infection in England.

The majority of cases are in migrants who have acquired infection overseas in endemic countries prior to arrival in the UK. Communities at higher risk of getting hepatitis B in the UK include people who inject drugs, gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men who are having sex with multiple partners, sex workers and people detained in prisons or immigration detention centres.

Pregnant women who have hepatitis B can pass the infection onto their baby around the time of birth – this is one of the most common routes of infection globally. To reduce the chances of a baby developing the infection, since the late 1990s all pregnant women in England have been offered an antenatal blood test for hepatitis B (as well as HIV and syphilis).

For women who test positive for hepatitis B, their newborn babies are offered a course of hepatitis B vaccination starting at birth. In addition to the targeted infant vaccination programme, in 2017 the UK introduced universal infant hepatitis B immunisation within the 6-in-1 vaccine at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age.

In 2021 quarterly coverage for these 3 doses was 91 to 92 per cent, exceeding the WHO target of 90%. Through this successful 3-pronged approach, England has now met the WHO criteria for elimination of mother to child transmission. Achieving this is a key milestone in the WHO’s strategy for the overall elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Although the risk of hepatitis B in the UK is low, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to encourage all those eligible to take up vaccination in order to lower the risk of themselves or their children becoming seriously ill in future. This includes people who have ever injected drugs, gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who have immigrated to the UK from countries where hepatitis is common and pregnant women.

Alongside hepatitis B, progress towards eliminating hepatitis C as a public health problem by 2030 in England continues. Hepatitis C is passed on in similar ways to hepatitis B infection, but there is no vaccine. Latest modelling suggests that 92,900 people were living with hepatitis C in the UK at the end of 2021 – a decline of 47.2% since 2015. Thanks to increased testing and curative treatments, the UK is on track to achieve 2030 WHO elimination goal for hep C based on current trends.

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

With the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, very low hepatitis related death rates and continued reduction of chronic hepatitis C levels, we are on our way to our goal of eliminating hepatitis B and C in England by 2030.

Testing, vaccination for hepatitis B and curative treatments for hepatitis C have all played a significant role in driving down these infections.

Many people are unaware they have hepatitis because the viruses can be symptomless – meaning they aren’t getting the treatments they need and are possibly passing the virus on to others without knowing.

We continue to urge all those who have ever injected drugs, gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men, sex workers and people who have immigrated to the UK from countries where hepatitis B or C is common to come forward for free testing, treatment or hepatitis B vaccination.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay said:

We are paving the way for the elimination of hepatitis B and C, with England set to be one of the first countries in the world to wipe out these viruses.

Deaths and prevalence of hepatitis C have fallen consistently thanks to improvements in diagnosis and access to highly effective treatments that are available on the NHS.

This is another example of how we’re at the forefront of tackling serious diseases, through swiftly procuring the best treatments and tackling inequalities through testing and vaccination.

John Stewart, Director for Specialised Commissioning and interim Director of Commercial Medicines at NHS England, said:

We are pleased WHO has confirmed England has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, thanks to universal screening and immunisation benefitting more than 9 in 10 infants.

The NHS is committed to increasing early detection diagnoses of blood-borne viruses, including rolling out opt-out testing for HIV, hep C and hep B in A&Es – building on the testing already routinely available through GPs and sexual health services across the country – and ensuring people have access to treatments and specialist support as early as possible.

Through screening programmes and national medicines deals that give NHS patients access to the latest drugs, England is also on track to become the first country to eliminate hepatitis C, which will be a landmark international achievement in public health.

Pamela Healy OBE, Chief Executive, British Liver Trust, said:

It is excellent news that England has met the ambitious target set by WHO and eliminated the transmission of Hepatitis B between mothers and children. The challenge now is for us to find the thousands of people living in England who have hepatitis but are completely unaware of it. Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C usually have no symptoms in the early stages, so it is vital to get tested if you have ever been exposed. To find out if you are at risk, the British Liver Trust has a simple questionnaire on their website.

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

Thanks to government investment in an innovative elimination programme for hepatitis C, we are within reach of eliminating the virus before 2030 in England. To stay on track to reach this goal, we are in need of a hepatitis strategy to ensure that we are able to reach every at-risk population in the country, save more lives and maintain the elimination of both hepatitis C and B once reached.

Treatment for hepatitis C has never been easier and 95% of people are able to clear the virus after just a few months of taking medication. If you are worried about hepatitis C, our message to you is simple: get tested, get treated, get cured.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 25 January 2023.

In its interim advice to government on the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme for 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that plans should be made for those at higher risk of severe COVID-19 to be offered a booster vaccination this autumn (2023).

The JCVI also advised that for a smaller group of people, such as those who are older and those who are immunosuppressed, an extra booster vaccine dose in the spring should also be planned for. Advice regarding the spring 2023 COVID-19 programme will be provided shortly.

Emergency surge vaccine responses may be required should a novel variant of concern emerge with clinically significant biological differences compared to the Omicron variant.

Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair of COVID-19 vaccination on the JCVI, said:

The COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to reduce severe disease across the population, while helping to protect the NHS.

That is why we have advised planning for further booster vaccines for persons at higher risk of serious illness through an autumn booster programme later this year.

We will very shortly also provide final advice on a spring booster programme for those at greatest risk.

The 2022 COVID-19 autumn booster vaccination campaign commenced in early September last year. The most recent coverage data (15 January 2023) of the autumn booster programme in those aged 50 years and over is 64.5% and 82.4% in those aged 75 years and over. By the end of summer 2022, the coverage of the 2022 spring booster programme was 77.3% in those aged 75 years and over.

Following high uptake rates for the initial (third) booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in December 2021, further uptake has been low at less than 0.1% per week since April 2022 in all eligible people under 50 years of age.

Similarly, uptake of primary course vaccination, which has been widely available since 2021, has plateaued in recent months across all age groups.

As the transition continues away from a pandemic emergency response towards pandemic recovery, the JCVI has advised that the 2021 booster offer (third dose) for persons aged 16 to 49 years who are not in a clinical risk group should close in alignment with the close of the autumn 2022 booster vaccination campaign.

In England, the closure of the autumn booster campaign and the first booster offer will be on 12 February 2023. We strongly encourage everyone who is currently eligible for a first booster and is yet to come forward to do so before the offer closes.

Similarly, the JCVI is advising that the primary course COVID-19 vaccination should move, over the course of 2023, towards a more targeted offer during vaccination campaigns to protect those persons at higher risk of severe COVID-19. We strongly encourage individuals who have not had a primary course to come forward for their primary course before the offer closes.

The JCVI keeps all advice under constant review and will revise it according to the latest data and evidence.

In its 2023 statement, the JCVI also advises that research should be considered to inform the optimal timing of booster vaccinations to protect against severe COVID-19 for groups who are at different levels of clinical risk.

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency in 23 January 2023.

With Cervical Cancer Prevention Week starting today, UKHSA urges young people to catch up on any missed HPV vaccinations.

The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) report on the routine adolescent human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation 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 HPV vaccine is offered to all 12 to 13 year olds in school years 8 and 9 and follows a 2-dose schedule.

HPV vaccine coverage decreased by 7% in year 8 girls and 8.7% in year 8 boys in 2021 to 2022 when compared to the previous academic year. The data suggests that the NHS has already caught up many children who missed out on their HPV vaccine since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with dose 1 uptake improving for children in year 9 and year 10, but coverage remains below pre-pandemic levels.

The UK HPV vaccination programme is one of the most successful in the world, with high uptake and millions of doses given since its launch in 2008.

The programme in England has been shown to have dramatically lowered rates of harmful infections and cervical cancer in vaccinated women, with the strongest effects seen in those vaccinated at younger ages, and is saving lives. HPV vaccination also protects against genital warts and other cancers of the genital areas and anus, as well as some cancers of the head and neck.

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 similar young women born a few years earlier who had not been offered vaccination, clearly showing 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.

All the routine adolescent immunisation programmes have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and coverage is not back up to pre-pandemic levels.

UKHSA is urging parents and guardians to ensure eligible young people are caught up with their HPV vaccine before they leave school.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

The HPV vaccine is available for girls and boys in year 8 and we encourage everyone eligible to take up this potentially life-saving vaccine when offered. In recent years we have seen vaccine coverage fall due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many young people who missed out on their vaccinations have already been caught up, but more needs to be done to ensure all those eligible are vaccinated.

Children and young people who have missed out on their HPV vaccinations should contact their school nurse, school immunisation team or GP surgery to arrange a catch-up – they remain eligible until their 25th birthday.

In addition to HPV vaccination of young people, all women aged 25 and over in England are offered cervical screening which can detect early signs of disease and so also prevents cancers and deaths.

The HPV vaccine will prevent most cervical cancer cases, but not all, and so even vaccinated women should still attend for cervical screening when invited to do so. If you’ve missed your appointment it’s important you arrange another screening as soon as possible.

Minister for Women’s Health Maria Caulfield said:

As a nurse who has worked on cancer units, I have seen first-hand the importance of HPV vaccination in saving countless lives by preventing cervical cancer.

We’re improving the cervical cancer screening process, including opening up 24/7 laboratory screening and expanding the location options available – so people can get their tests easier and results faster.

I encourage all 12 and 13 year olds who are offered this vaccine to take it – it could save your life.

Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust:

We have the evidence that shows the HPV vaccine is stopping young women from developing cervical cancer, and that’s an incredible thing. Around 9 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day in the UK and the vaccine is helping to change that. I’d urge anyone who is eligible to take up the offer. Whether you have been vaccinated or not, going for cervical screening remains important to help further reduce your risk of cervical cancer.