Seven days in medicine: 26 Aug to 1 Sep 2020
BMJ 2020; 370 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3373 (Published 03 September 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;370:m3373
Covid-19
Government will expand trained vaccine workforce
The UK government will expand the trained workforce who can administer covid-19 and flu vaccines to boost access, as part of a raft of measures designed to facilitate the safe future mass roll-out of a covid-19 vaccine. The government said that it would clarify the scope of protection from civil liability among the additional workforce who could be allowed to administer vaccinations. It also pledged to reinforce safeguards to support the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to grant temporary authorisation for the use of a new covid-19 vaccine, provided it meets the highest safety and quality standards. (Full story doi:10.1136/bmj.m3375)
England will test 150 000 every two weeks
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will expand its infection survey to 150 000 people a fortnight in England by October, up from 28 000 now, to provide more information about the spread of covid-19 in the community and to help identify local outbreaks. The aim is to eventually enrol 400 000 people in England, and the ONS will also extend the survey to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The survey started as a pilot in May to track infection rates outside of hospitals and care homes, regardless of whether a person has symptoms. (Full story doi:10.1136/bmj.m3269)
High risk areas get payments for self-isolating
The UK government will offer a payment for people with low incomes in areas with high rates of covid-19 who need to self-isolate and cannot work from home. Eligible people who test positive for covid will receive £130 (€146; $173) for a 10 …
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