News and blogs

Back in March discussion started as to whether it would be appropriate to consider challenge trials to speed up vaccine development during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the most distressing aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic for me has been the treatment of older people living in care homes – and the uncomfortable spotlight cast on the way their fundamental needs and interests are often overlooked.

The introduction of compulsory mask policies in the UK has prompted a mixture of compliance and contention.

Just at the point where vaccine trials are showing promise, levels of infection circulating in the general population in the UK are relatively low. This is obviously good news from many perspectives – but makes the next stage of testing more difficult. Is one possible answer human challenge trials?

We welcome the Committee’s recommendations. The letter echoes many of our own calls to Government during the pandemic, such as the need for greater transparency.

Yesterday, the UK Government launched the NHS COVID-19 vaccine research registry. We welcome this registry.

Guest post: This blog is an extended version of a presentation given by Professor Bobbie Farsides at last week’s Nuffield Council on Bioethics’ webinar “Ethical implications of antibody testing and ‘immunity certification’.”

We, together with The Global Health Network, have launched a Spanish translation of a new e-learning course for researchers covering the core ethical issues that arise when conducting research in global health emergencies.

We have published a policy briefing highlighting an urgent need for consideration of the ethical questions raised by Covid-19 antibody testing and immunity certification.

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics warmly welcomes news of the Health Research Authority (HRA) public involvement service for COVID-19 studies.

A new policy briefing from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics highlights a need for action to ensure that vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 are offered fairly, to avoid deepening inequalities for disadvantaged populations already hit hardest by the pandemic.

In order to exit lockdown safely, the UK will need to be able to identify virus hotspots and have a robust track and trace process in place to ensure that people who might be infected know that they need to self-isolate.