News and communications

Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.

• Updated: 18 April 2024

Regular measles statistics updates issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

• Updated: 18 April 2024

Oral statement to Parliament:  Tobacco & Vapes Bill Second Reading.   As delivered by Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, Minister for Health. 

• Updated: 17 April 2024

Professor Sir Chris Whitty writes for The Guardian on smoking addiction and MPs' historic opportunity to vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

• Updated: 16 April 2024

MPs to vote on legislation to create first smokefree generation, protecting young people turning 15 this year or younger from harms of smoking.

• Updated: 16 April 2024

As delivered by Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

• Updated: 16 April 2024

The Chief Nursing Officers and Senior Midwives of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have spoken out in support of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

• Updated: 16 April 2024

UKHSA urges overseas travellers, including Hajj pilgrims, to check well in advance to ensure they are up to date and have all necessary vaccinations

• Updated: 11 April 2024

Community diagnostic centre (CDC) sites have already delivered over 7 million tests, checks and scans to patients across England.

• Updated: 11 April 2024

Department of Health and Social Care publishes terms of reference for statutory inquiry following deaths of NHS mental health inpatients in Essex.

• Updated: 10 April 2024

The government commissions the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to review the fees applicable under the hemp licensing regime.

• Updated: 9 April 2024

ACMD work programme 2024 letter to the Home Secretary from the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).

• Updated: 5 April 2024

Charges for NHS prescriptions, wigs and fabric supports will increase on 1 May 2024.

• Updated: 5 April 2024

UKHSA has published the latest data on scarlet fever cases in England. Scarlet fever is circulating, as expected for this time of year.

• Updated: 4 April 2024

The expansion of testing on arrest across England and Wales has seen nearly 100,000 drug tests on suspects whose behaviour was believed to have been driven by their drug abuse.

• Updated: 3 April 2024

The move will streamline processes within dental and pharmacy settings and improve patient experiences.

• Updated: 28 March 2024

Report shows vaccine coverage for children in the UK at 12 months, 24 months and 5 years

• Updated: 26 March 2024

Consultation launched on proposals to expand scheme to 1.6 million more people to help tackle tooth decay.

• Updated: 25 March 2024

Government response to the report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on xylazine, medetomidine and detomidine.

• Updated: 21 March 2024

UKHSA is reminding travellers of steps they can take to reduce the risk of infections .

• Updated: 21 March 2024