The highlights for this update include:

  • INSIGHTS in our latest report to SAGE
  • PROGRESS on Data and Connectivity National Core Study in this month’s report
  • REGISTER for the National Core Studies Symposium
  • EXPLORE our new webpage with information for the public
  • DISCOVER COVID-19 data and tools on the Health Data Research Innovation Gateway

INSIGHTS: Our latest report to SAGE

This week we published thelatest research insights and data access updates in our regular report that we share with SAGE(the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies), UK Research and Innovation and the wider science community.

The highlights for this report include the following research, all of which demonstrate the benefits and insights that can be gained from using linked health data at scale:

Real-world data from the vaccine rollout in Scotland suggest thatthefirstdose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines are 91% and 88% effective at reducing COVID-19 hospitalisation, respectively.

Preliminary analyses combining vaccination and COVID-19 testing data for healthcare workersat University Hospitals Birminghamrevealed that a portion of workers vaccinated with afirstdose acquired COVID-19. It is imperative that healthcare workers remain vigilant against COVID-19 after afirstdose to reduce the potential of onwards transmission to patients and other healthcare workers.

Analyses of COVID-19 Symptom Study survey responses fromover2.7 million people in the US, UK, and Sweden foundno association betweentheuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin, and COVID-19 infection. These results suggest that patients and healthcare providers should continue to use these drugs for prevention of conditions like cardiovascular disease and chronic pain.

Responses fromover20,000 participants of theVirusWatchhousehold study indicate thatpeople living in deprived areas are more likely to use public transport, work/attend schooloutside the home, and visit essential shops;interventions to prevent exposure during these activities may reduce risk inequalities.

Patient and public voice feedback

As always, our reports on COVID-19 research and data are reviewed by our patient and public advisors.The feedback on this report stressed that as we continue to move out of a national lockdown and more of the population become vaccinated, it is imperative to better understand and communicate the effects of the vaccine on different and emerging variants.

Read their feedback here

PROGRESS on Data and Connectivity National Core Study in this month’sreport

REGISTER for theCOVID-19National Core Studies Symposium

The programme for the National Core Study Symposium event on24 June 2021 –Accelerating UK data driven insights in a pandemic–hasnow been announced. Thisfreeevent brings together the six National Core Study teams and wider community to share impact on UK COVID science and policy.  Everyone is welcome.

EXPLORE our new webpage with information for the public

Ournew webpageprovidesaccessible information for the public about theCOVID-19Data and Connectivity National Core Study. This page was developed in collaboration with our public contributors who make up the advisory group for the study.

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DISCOVER: COVID-19 data on the Health Data Research Innovation Gateway

There are now over 600 datasets listed and available to request access through this platform. These include 6 dedicated collections (54 datasets) for the, openly available to discover and request access.