The Challenge
The UK, along with many other countries, had been in lockdown for 4 months, with initial vaccines being deployed through army channels
There was limited-to-zero knowledge regarding antibodies, the longer-term efficacy of vaccines, and therefore limited ability to plan based on evidence
With a wider impact on the UK and global economies with schools closed due to the increased risk of transmission between children and families
Our Response
Facilitated a new clinical study, focussed on school children, organising agencies who had never worked together before, e.g. DfE, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, PHE/T&T, DHSC, ONS, LEAs, foundations and schools
Advised on clinical ethics, organised user research, resolved complex orchestration of blood samples, ID management and school and pupil enrolment
Developed process & data designs for use within the partner network
The Results
The first study discovering the effective duration of antibodies arising from COVID-19 infection
This indicated roughly a 3 month period of increased resistance due to the presence of relevant antibodies and was disseminated during regular Prime Minister’s briefings
The “approach has been a tremendous example of pan-Government working alongside academia – true teamwork across organisational boundaries” – UKHSA CEO
Sector: Government, Health, Education, Public Health
Functions: Statistics and Data, Frontline Health, Teaching
