Latest news

COVID-19 vaccines given as fourth doses in the UK offer excellent boosting immunity protection, according to the latest results from the NIHR-supported COV-BOOST study.

Researchers have worked with patients to develop a comprehensive tool to assess the symptoms of long COVID and their impact on everyday life.

The latest results from the UK’s COV-BOOST study, led by University Hospital Southampton, have shown prolonged immune responses following third doses of several COVID-19 vaccines.

Following rigorous clinical trials supported by the NIHR and thorough data analysis, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has authorised the Valneva COVID-19 vaccine for UK use.

The NIHR-supported PANORAMIC trial is investigating a new COVID-19 antiviral treatment, Paxlovid, among vulnerable groups in the community.

The world’s largest study of the genetics of critical COVID-19, has revealed details about some of the biological mechanisms behind the severe form of the disease

The NIHR-supported RECOVERY trial has found that baricitinib, an anti-inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis drug, reduces deaths in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 by around one-fifth.

One of the world’s first Omicron-specific COVID-19 variant vaccines is to be trialled at multiple sites across the UK, as the biotechnology company Moderna, Inc works alongside the NIHR.
- Published:
16 February 2022

Researchers have developed new definitions for what long COVID is and the key effects in children and adults, which will help harmonise research and improve understanding of the condition.
- Published:
08 February 2022

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today authorised Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in the UK. This follows rigorous clinical trials supported by NIHR and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA
- Published:
03 February 2022

Researchers have identified abnormalities in the lungs of long COVID patients with breathlessness but whose other tests are normal.
- Published:
29 January 2022

An NIHR-funded clinical trial investigating new antiviral treatments for COVID-19 has become the UK’s fastest ever recruiting interventional study delivered through primary care.
- Published:
25 January 2022

Young adults have a stronger immune response to vaccines than older adults, and results from COVID-19 vaccine studies have suggested lower doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may give as good an immune response in young adults as higher doses.
- Published:
18 January 2022

The first results of an early trial of a multivariant COVID-19 vaccine booster, launched in September 2021 and supported by the NIHR, has released positive data.
- Published:
04 January 2022

The differences in COVID-19 infection risk between ethnic minority healthcare workers and their white colleagues is likely due to home and work factors rather than biology, according to the largest and most detailed study on the subject.
- Published:
22 December 2021

The world's first plant-based COVID-19 vaccine from Medicago and GSK is 75.3% effective against preventing COVID-19 of any severity (from the Delta variant), finds an NIHR-supported study.
- Published:
17 December 2021

The UK Clinical Research Recovery, Resilience and Growth Programme (RRG) has today published an update detailing the key milestones that have been achieved in the 6 months since the publication of “The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery” 2021/22 implementation plan.
- Published:
14 December 2021

A first-of-its-kind clinical trial to investigate the effectiveness of new COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments - which can be safely taken at home - has begun enrolling participants today.
- Published:
08 December 2021

Following up first doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines with second doses of the Moderna and Novovax jabs will generate robust immune responses against COVID-19.
- Published:
07 December 2021

Six COVID-19 vaccines are safe and boost immunity for people who have had two doses of AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech, results from the UK-wide COV-BOOST trial show.
- Published:
03 December 2021

Children with poorly controlled asthma are up to six times more likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than those without the condition, a study conducted in Scotland suggests.
- Published:
01 December 2021

The Preg-CoV Study is comparing the use of different approved vaccines and boosters, at different schedule intervals for pregnant women.
- Published:
25 November 2021

Two vaccine doses offer very high levels of protection against death should you contract the COVID-19 Delta variant, according to a landmark study conducted across Scotland.
- Published:
21 October 2021

The risk of serious COVID-19 is very low among partially and fully vaccinated people, but vaccinated men, older people and people with multiple underlying health conditions are still at risk, according to a nationwide study in Scotland.
- Published:
02 October 2021

Research funded by the NIHR has found that it is safe for people to receive a flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Published:
01 October 2021