Streeting vows to ‘redouble' vaccination efforts after measles death
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the nation needed to 'redouble its efforts' to vaccinate more children following the reported death.
There have been 529 laboratory-confirmed measles cases reported in England since the beginning of the year.
The UK has the worst measles vaccination rates among G7 countries, with only 89 per cent of children receiving their first MMR jab in 2024, significantly below the 95 per cent herd immunity target set by the World Health Organisation.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to serious complications, and the most effective way to prevent it is through the MMR vaccine.
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The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
Children under five at risk from only consuming plant milk, say experts
No plant-based milk available in the UK is 'nutritionally equivalent' to cows' milk, a team of UK experts has concluded. Plant-based milk drinks – including soya, oat and almond milk – have soared in popularity in recent years. Now nutritional experts advising the UK Government have published a report on the benefits and risks of milk substitutes, with some concerns raised about the use of the products among children under the age of five. In children aged one to five there is a risk that only consuming plant-based drinks can lead to 'inadequate intakes of some micronutrients', according to experts on the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (Cot). And people of any age group who have these drinks could have a higher intake of added sugar. But the report stresses that nutritional concerns may be 'lessened' if people opt for unsweetened soya, oat and almond milk drinks and if these drinks are fortified with vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin B12, calcium and iodine at similar levels to those in cows' milk, and also with vitamin D. And they said that typical almond, oat and soya drinks may contribute to lower intakes of calories and saturated fat, with higher intake of fibre and vitamin D, which would be beneficial to most. But the new report highlights a 'potential toxicological concern' with milk substitutes in children up to the age of five who follow a vegan diet and consume a lot of soya. The expert group said that these children may be more likely to consume high amounts of a naturally occurring compound called isoflavones. But the risk could be partially mitigated by ensuring children following a vegan diet get their protein from a variety of sources and not just soya. SACN and Cot made a series of nutrition recommendations for children under the age of five, older children and adults who drink milk substitutes, including: It is 'preferable' that children aged one to five consume whole or semi-skimmed cows' milk over plant-based drinks, if they consume animal products, but unsweetened and fortified plant-based milks are an 'acceptable alternative'. Unfortified or sweetened plant-based drinks are 'not an acceptable alternative to cows' milk'. SACN and Cot also said that 'there is no need for drinks specifically marketed for children aged one to three years, including plant-based follow-on formula, 'growing up' and other 'toddler' drinks'. Vegan children aged one to five should consume fortified and unsweetened plant-based milks over water, where other children would drink cows' milk. Soya milk is preferable as the main substitute for cows' milk for vegan children aged one to five, because it has higher amounts of protein compared to almond or oat milks. But the experts stressed vegan children should be offered a wide variety in protein in their general food and drink consumption, to avoid high intakes of isoflavones linked to soya. For children aged five and over and adults, fortified and unsweetened almond, oat and soya drinks are an acceptable alternative to cows' milk. They conclude: 'No almond, oat or soya drink available in the UK is nutritionally equivalent to cows' milk. 'The most appropriate alternative to cows' milk varies by age group and people's wider dietary intakes and health concerns.' They add: 'There are potential nutritional and toxicological concerns related to plant-based drinks, and these particularly apply to children aged one to five years, especially those who are following a vegan diet. 'There are potential nutritional concerns related to higher intakes of free sugars and inadequate intakes of certain micronutrients (for all three plant-based drinks) and lower intakes of protein (for almond and oat drinks).'
Reuters
9 minutes ago
- Reuters
Britain's life sciences plan gets mixed reception from pharma industry
LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) - Britain launched a life sciences sector plan on Wednesday to a mixed response from the pharmaceutical industry, which welcomed proposals to boost R&D but warned it would fail to keep firms competitive unless there was a deal on drug pricing. Life sciences is one of eight priority sectors under a new industrial strategy launched by the government last month, but the publication of a sector-specific plan was delayed as the pharma industry and government failed to agree a deal on how much revenue from UK sales firms must return to the country's health service. Industry figures have voiced dissatisfaction with Britain's tough pricing regime which they say prioritises low costs over investing in innovation and securing access to the latest medicine. While there was still an impasse on drug pricing, the government released the sector plan, which noted "intense competition for investment" and pledged to reform the regulation of medicine so more drugs get to the state-run National Health Service quicker. However, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) said the plan was "not enough to turn around the UK's decline" and Britain still needed to address "the long-term disinvestment in innovative medicines." "For too long, the UK has sought to be the place where innovation happens, but not the place where it is used," said Richard Torbett, chief executive of the ABPI. The government cited supportive comments from pharma firms GSK, Moderna and BioNTech for its plan, even as industry sources said the unresolved drug-pricing talks were an "elephant in the room." AstraZeneca, the UK stock market's most valuable company, was not quoted in support of the sector plan in the government's statement. Earlier this month, the company declined to comment on a Times report that it was considering shifting its stock market listing to the United States. Tony Wood, chief scientific officer at GSK, said he welcomed reforms to incentivise more clinical trials and create a new lab network to accelerate drug discovery and development. But a GSK spokesperson added it was "critical that the UK also takes action with this new plan to recognise the value of innovative new medicines and vaccines for patients." Torbett said ABPI was in the "final stages of an intensive discussion" on drug pricing, to "get these issues out of the way and allow our sector to deliver on its potential."
The Sun
37 minutes ago
- The Sun
Side-effects of fat jabs are transforming the dating scene – and ‘reshaping' our sex lives
WEIGHT loss jabs are changing people's lives. For the 1.5 million Brits already on them, many are likely to be shedding the pounds, and fast. While new studies suggest they may make people healthier, by slashing the risk of heart disease and curing booze addiction. But that's not all - these so-called ' fat jabs ' could be changing the way we flirt, date and have sex too. According to a survey by the Kinsey Institute, at Indiana University in the US, nearly half of people using GLP-1 drugs said the meds had changed their sex lives - for better, or worse. Some users reported feeling a serious boost in desire, feeling sexier naked, and noticing better performance in the bedroom. But it wasn't all good news, others said their libido took a hit, or that they felt less comfortable with their bodies, even as the weight dropped off. "There's a very nuanced story to tell here," Dr Justin Lehmiller, one of the study's authors said. "How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including dosage, speed of weight loss and changes to fitness habits.' The research conducted with polled 2,000 single adults in the US, aged 18 to 91. Of those, 8 per cent, just 160 people, said they'd used weight-loss jabs like Ozempic or Wegovy. Among those users, nearly 60 per cent said the medication had affected their dating lives. Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs They reported a range of benefits, from getting more matches on dating apps to feeling confident enough to ask people out. Nearly one in six users said they had bought new clothes to show off their bodies, while others noticed exes reaching out, sparked by their transformations. Around 13 per cent felt more confident posting photos online, and 12 per cent said they were going on more dates. Sexual desire increased for 18 per cent of users, but 16 per cent experienced the opposite effect. Similarly, 16 per cent felt more comfortable naked, while 14 per cent felt less so. Improvements in sexual function were reported by 16 per cent, but 12 per cent said their sexual performance had worsened. Men see the biggest difference Men in particular reported more pronounced shifts, both positive and negative. They were twice as likely as women to say their libido had increased, they were happier with their bodies, and that their sexual function improved. Yet they were also more likely to report decreased libido and sexual difficulties. Despite the boost in confidence many felt, 60 per cent of men admitted to worrying about being judged or shamed for taking these medications, compared to 35 per cent of women. Dr Amanda Gesselman, another study author, added: 'GLP-1 use is rising among single adults and it's starting to influence more than just how people look and feel about themselves. "These shifts have the potential to reshape how people build intimacy in today's dating landscape. "For example, as users report reduced appetites and lower interest in alcohol, the classic dinner-and-drinks date may give way to new ways of connecting.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines
