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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
England's Chief Medical Officer. Annual reports and talks on health gov.uk/government/col
Londongov.uk/government/peo…Joined September 2019
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Professor Chris Whitty’s Tweets

Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
COVID-19 and 'flu will be circulating this winter. Immunity wanes over time. The new COVID vaccines add protection against Omicron. Vaccines are widely available for the vulnerable. If you are eligible please get vaccinated for COVID and 'flu.
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Department of Health and Social Care
@DHSCgovuk
Book your autumn Covid booster now if you are: 🔷 aged 65 and over 🔷 pregnant 🔷 at higher risk due to a health condition 🔷 immunosuppressed 🔷 a frontline health and social care worker 🔷 an unpaid carer More ⤵️ nhs.uk/conditions/cor
Boost your immunity with the flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster. If you're eligible, the NHS will invite you when it's your turn.
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
The damage caused by cigarette companies is staggering including heart disease, stroke, COPD, lung cancer and multiple other cancers. Most smokers wish to quit but cannot as the industry has addicted them at a young age - their choice has been taken away. Bold action is needed
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Javed Khan OBE
@JavedKhanCEO
Review into Smokefree 2030. gov.uk/government/pub My 15 recommendations identify a holistic response to #makingsmokingobsolete. However, I have identified 4 without which the government will not meet Smokefree 2030. #khanreview
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Thank you to people coming forward with possible monkeypox symptoms- important for outbreak response. UKHSA advice on the outbreak and what to look out for is linked below. If you suspect monkeypox, contact NHS 111 or your local sexual health service.
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
I wanted to say a huge thank you to NHS staff. Direct COVID admissions have put them under serious pressure for many months. COVID has not gone, indirect impacts of COVID remain significant, but the current wave of direct COVID admissions is subsiding. ow.ly/O4Hy50J156u
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
COVID-19 rates are still very high, and rising again Vaccines substantially reduce rates of severe disease and hospitalisation but there is some reduction of effect over time If you are over 75 or immunosuppressed and the NHS contacts you for a booster please take up the offer
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NHS England
@NHSEngland
People aged 75 and over, and people aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed, are now eligible for a Spring COVID-19 booster vaccine. The NHS will contact eligible people to book their next vital jab. Visit nhs.uk/covid-booster for more information.
People aged 75 and over are now eligible for a Spring COVID-19 booster vaccine. The NHS will contact you.
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Disabled children and young people benefit from physical activity, with exercise being good for health in many ways. Today the UK CMOs published physical activity guidelines to support this. Thank you to the children, young people and exercise experts who contributed.
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Prof Sir Gregor Smith
@DrGregorSmith
The UK CMOs today will publish physical activity guidelines for disabled children & disabled young people. This report / infographic will help to fill an important gap in PA guidelines. I’m very grateful to all those who participated in co-production. gov.uk/government/new
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
With the Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Midwifery Officer, Medical Directors and others, I have written to NHS colleagues about the professional responsibility to protect patients from COVID-19. This includes getting vaccinated, as the great majority have.
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Antivirals will be important in the early treatment of COVID. Many thanks to participants, researchers and support teams in the PANORAMIC antiviral trial. If you test positive for COVID-19 please consider taking part. Eligibility at panoramictrial.org.
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OxPrimaryCareSci
@OxPrimaryCare
We just hit 5000 people recruited! This is a huge accomplishment and thanks to all who made it happen! But we still need your help! panoramictrial.org @NIHRresearch @DHSCgovuk
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Latest ONS data show 1 in 15 people in England had COVID last week. Over 16,000 people in hospital in England have COVID. We still need to keep our guard up. If you have not had your 1st, 2nd or booster vaccine, please come forward; they protect you and those around you.
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Office for National Statistics (ONS)
@ONS
New estimates show the number of people testing positive for #COVID19 continued to increase across the UK in the week ending 6 Jan 2022. Infections compatible with the Omicron variant increased and Delta compatible infections have fallen to low levels ow.ly/1vss50HsLtE
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Estimated number of people with COVID-19 in the week ending 6 January 2022 (not living in hospitals, care homes and/or other communal establishments)   England: 1 in 15 Wales: 1 in 20 Northern Ireland: 1 in 20 Scotland: 1 in 20 Source: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK: Headline Results 12 January 2022
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
ONS data show 1 in 25 people in England had COVID last week with even higher rates in some areas. The wave is still rising and hospital admissions are going up. Please protect yourself and those around you. Get boosted, use face masks indoors, maximise ventilation, wash hands.
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Office for National Statistics (ONS)
@ONS
Latest #COVID19 estimates show infection rates increased across all four countries of the UK in the week ending 23 Dec 2021 ow.ly/3tN150Hli2z
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Estimated number of people with COVID-19 in the week ending 23 December 2021 (not living in care homes, hospitals or other institutional settings) 1 in 25 England 1 in 40 Wales 1 in 40 Northern Ireland 1 in 40 Scotland
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
After a very difficult year for the health system, the UK CMOs want to express our enduring thanks to, and great pride in, the health professions across the country. We face yet more hard weeks ahead. Look out for one another as we continue to care for the public.
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
NHS staff have worked with skill, integrity and determination through very difficult circumstances for a long time. As millions come for boosters and pressures increase on the NHS we are once again facing a rising challenge. A profound thank you for all you are doing.
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UK Health Security Agency
@UKHSA
#OmicronVariant latest information 1576 additional confirmed cases of the #Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported across the UK. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 Omicron cases in the UK is 4713.
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Almost all pregnant women admitted to hospital, including ICU, with COVID are unvaccinated. This is a risk to you and your baby. It's safer to be vaccinated. Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, Chief Midwifery Officer Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer
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UKOSS
@NPEU_UKOSS
Latest data from @NPEU_UKOSS and @mbrrace showing the clear evidence of real world protection from #COVID #vaccine in pregnancy and the hazards in the unvaccinated. Vaccination recommended by @MidwivesRCM @RCObsGyn
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
The substantial (up to 87%) reduction in cervical cancer as a result of the HPV vaccination programme in schools is very good news. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in young women in the UK and globally; it will be much rarer in future.
thelancet.com
The effects of the national HPV vaccination programme in England, UK, on cervical cancer and grade...
We observed a substantial reduction in cervical cancer and incidence of CIN3 in young women after the introduction of the HPV immunisation programme in England, especially in individuals who were...
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
COVID-19 cases are rising and winter is drawing closer. 1) If you have not been vaccinated, now is the time. 2) If you are offered a booster please take up the offer. 3) Ventilation, masks in crowded indoor spaces and hand washing remain important.
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
COVID-19 is dangerous for pregnant women and their babies. The medical advice is clear: it is much safer to be vaccinated against COVID than get COVID if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Please get vaccinated and support people you know who are pregnant to be vaccinated.
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RoyalCollegeObsGyn
@RCObsGyn
New data shows that 17% of the most critically ill COVID-19 patients are pregnant women who have not been vaccinated. We are supporting calls from @NHS and encouraging pregnant women to get the #COVID-19 vaccine. Find out more here: fal.cn/3iWwB
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Public health in the UK has had many great achievements in preventing disease and saving lives, including the remarkable work of PHE. Today a new chapter begins with the start of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
The great majority of adults have been vaccinated. Four weeks working on a COVID ward makes stark the reality that the majority of our hospitalised COVID patients are unvaccinated and regret delaying. Some are very sick including young adults. Please don't delay your vaccine.
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
An important message from Gareth Southgate. Please do get the COVID-19 vaccine. It will help protect you and those around you, including the vulnerable. If you want to learn more about the science of vaccines, I did a talk on them earlier this year - gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-e
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NHS
@NHSuk
'If you haven't had your vaccine yet, go and get it done — for you younger ones especially.' Thanks to @England's Gareth Southgate for sharing an important message about the #NHSCOVIDVaccine. ⚽️ Find out how to book yours ➡️ nhs.uk/conditions/cor
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Her Majesty The Queen speaks for all on the 73rd birthday of the NHS. NHS staff past and present have served the nation with great courage, skill and dedication. I would like to add my thanks to all NHS colleagues.
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The Royal Family
@RoyalFamily
"It is with great pleasure on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom.” Her Majesty The Queen
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Many thanks to the 45,000 volunteers in SIREN and other COVID-19 studies. Over 1.2 million participants in the UK have taken part in these studies and trials. This has been essential to our ability to understand, prevent and treat COVID in the UK and globally.
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UK Health Security Agency
@UKHSA
Today marks the #SIRENstudy 1st year anniversary. We’d like to thank the participants and staff for their dedication, public service and contribution to this landmark study. publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2021/03/11/the
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Having three quarters of adults receive their first dose of COVID vaccine and half fully vaccinated is good news. The second dose is really important. Thank you to all involved in the vaccination programme - scientists, trial participants, NHS staff, volunteers and the UK public
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NHS England
@NHSEngland
Half of adults in England are now fully vaccinated, and three quarters have received a first dose of the #NHSCOVIDVaccine. Thanks to NHS staff and volunteers for working tirelessly to deliver more than 55 million doses, saving thousands of lives. 💙 #ThankYouNHS #VolunteersWeek
Graphic reads 'Half of all adults in England are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19' against blue background
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Thanks to the efforts of the public and the vaccine programme, cases and deaths have fallen across the UK. The UK CMOs have recommended the COVID Alert Level move from 4 to 3. This steady progress relies on us remaining vigilant and careful as we unlock.
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Department of Health and Social Care
@DHSCgovuk
The UK #COVID19 alert level will move from level 4 to level 3. This means case numbers, deaths and Covid hospital pressures have fallen consistently but the virus is still circulating so we must continue to be vigilant. See statement from the four UK Chief Medical Officers 👇
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
PHE data show up to 50% reduction in transmission of COVID from first vaccine. 3 implications: 1) Getting a vaccine helps protect others 2) This is likely to be improved by getting your second dose 3) If people you meet are vaccinated it reduces your risk- but not completely.
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UK Health Security Agency
@UKHSA
NEW: Our new research shows that one dose of #COVID19 vaccine can cut household transmission by up to half. Read more here: gov.uk/government/new
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
I am really delighted that Professor Chappell FMedSci will be taking over as Chief Scientific Adviser at DHSC and lead for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) from August.
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NIHR Research
@NIHRresearch
We are delighted that Professor Lucy Chappell @LucyChappell2 will be the new Chief Scientific Adviser at @DHSCgovuk and NIHR lead. nihr.ac.uk/news/new-chief
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Positive news from the Valneva COVID-19 vaccine phase 1/2 trial. Many thanks to the volunteers, researchers and for NIHR support. If confirmed in larger trials this adds a new class of vaccines to help UK and international efforts to control the pandemic.
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NIHR Research
@NIHRresearch
BREAKING: Valneva reports positive Phase 1/2 data for COVID-19 vaccine candidate VLA2001, with no safety concerns identified. Supported by NIHR,153 healthy adults were recruited across four sites in Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle & Southampton. See more: valneva.com/press-release/
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Sir Paul was the leading health protection expert of his generation, and a great public health leader. His extraordinary knowledge and calm in a crisis protected many across the UK who have never heard of him. He was also a wonderful man.
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Gillian Leng
@GillianLeng
With huge sadness, I want to let people know that my dear, dear husband Paul Cosford died this morning after an inspiring 4 years of living with cancer. He worked tirelessly to support the pandemic response and will be missed by many, but especially by me. @DrPaulCosford
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Over one million people in the UK have participated in research on COVID-19, with support from NIHR and the NHS. This is a remarkable testament to the public-spirited approach of UK citizens to defeating this disease. Thank you to every person involved.
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NIHR Research
@NIHRresearch
More than 1 million people in the UK have taken part in #Covid19 research! Thank you to everyone who has got involved. #ResearchVsCovid - nihr.ac.uk/news/uk-covid-
1,074,791 total participants. Hashtag research versus covid.
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Good news confirming efficacy of the Novavax COVID vaccine against original and B.1.1.7 variants. The UK trial recruited from 35 research sites across the UK, with the first patients recruited in Blackpool. Many thanks to the volunteers and NHS staff who made it possible.
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NIHR Research
@NIHRresearch
BREAKING: Novavax confirms high levels of efficacy against original & variant #COVID19 strains in UKs largest ever randomised double-blind placebo-controlled vaccine trials. Delivered by NIHR, the UK trial enrolled over 15,000 participants. See more at: ir.novavax.com/news-releases/
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
This change is a result of the remarkable efforts of the public to bring case numbers down. Deaths and infections are still very high and the NHS remains under significant pressure. If we continue to follow the guidance, cases will continue to fall.
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Department of Health and Social Care
@DHSCgovuk
📢The UK #COVID19 Alert Level will move from Level 5 to Level 4. This means that cases, hospital pressures and deaths remain high, but the threat of health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has decreased. See joint statement from the four UK Chief Medical Officers ⬇️
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
Treatment of COVID-19 in hospital is steadily improving. This important trial result from RECOVERY for tocilizumab is another step forward. Many thanks to those who conducted the trial across the NHS and NIHR network, and those who volunteered to take part.
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NIHR Research
@NIHRresearch
BREAKING: The NIHR-supported RECOVERY trial has shown that the arthritis drug tocilizumab reduces the risk of death for hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19 - and reduces the length of hospital stay nihr.ac.uk/news/recovery- #priorityCOVIDresearch @Oxford_NDPH
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
There is a lot of discussion of vaccines at the moment. For those who would like to understand how vaccination developed, and how vaccines for childhood diseases and emergencies including COVID-19 are used, I gave an online Gresham talk on this, link below.
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Gresham College
@GreshamCollege
You can watch @CMO_England's lecture on #Vaccination here now (no registration needed). gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-e
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Professor Chris Whitty
@CMO_England
A highly effective vaccine to add to the medical countermeasures against COVID-19 trialed in the UK. If it gets MHRA approval this increases our future resilience, including against the B.1.1.7 variant. Many thanks to all trial volunteers and those who conducted the research.
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NIHR Research
@NIHRresearch
BREAKING: The Novavax #COVID19vaccine, supported by the NIHR, is 89.3% effective at preventing COVID-19 and offers a high level of protection, according to research involving over 15,000 UK participants. Read more: nihr.ac.uk/news/novavax-c
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