Health news round-up: weight loss drugs, RSV vaccination and ChatGPT for clinical trials Senior clinical reporter Joanna Robertson shares some important developments in health news.…
Health security agency warns over Lyme disease despite fall in cases A report published by the UK Health Security Agency suggests that the drop in Lyme disease cases may be an “underestimate of the true burden” of cases in England.…
‘World-first’ gonorrhoea vaccine programme begins in England The gonorrhoea vaccine will be made available in sexual health clinics alongside existing jabs for mpox, hepatitis A and B and HPV.…
Measles cases climb as pharmacy MMR pilot under review The UK Health Security Agency has urged parents to vaccinate their children for measles, mumps and rubella to prevent an increase in cases following summer travel or the return to school.…
TB medicines shortage to last until end of 2025 A national patient safety alert has asked hospital procurement teams to review current stocks and work towards accessing licensed and unlicensed supplies, where available.…
Stronger regulatory oversight needed for self-testing kits, review concludes Authors of the cross-sectional review found that nearly three-quarters of over-the-counter testing kits “did not progress or close care pathways”.…
Pharmacies to offer children’s flu vaccinations from October 2025 The NHS England advanced service will enable community pharmacies to opt in and expand the delivery of vaccines to children too young to be offered them in school.…
Community pharmacies in 2024/2025 administered highest number of flu vaccinations outside of pandemic Of the 4 million flu vaccinations delivered by community pharmacies in England during the 2024/2025 flu season, data show that 11% were administered in the most deprived areas.…
UK issues first guideline on post-exposure prophylaxis for syphilis The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV has highlighted research that shows how doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis reduces syphilis cases by 80%.…
Walk-in flu vaccine finder for community pharmacy to be launched for 2025/2026 flu season NHS England said the “flu walk-in finder” was developed in response to patient feedback that complained of restrictions to the national booking service and a lack of information on clinic times.…
