From breakthroughs in genomics 🧬 to advances in global health 🌎, our annual science review captures a year of progress and preparedness.
Explore this snapshot of our scientific achievements 🚀.
Read the review here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69aa94daac93547152b9b24f/UKHSA_Science__Securing_Health_and_Prosperity._2025_Review.pdf
#BSW26
Vaccines protect your child from measles, whooping cough and other serious illnesses. 🧒
Check if your child has missed vaccinations, look in their red book or speak to your GP practice.
🔗 http://nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations
Getting organised for the Easter holidays? 🐣🐇
Whether your family is planning a sunny getaway or a long‑awaited visit with loved ones, our blog post shares tips to help you all stay well while you #travel. 🧳
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/07/02/the-essential-travel-checklist-to-keep-you-and-your-family-healthy-on-holiday/
Remember believing the wildest playground rumours? 🤪 Sadly, measles spreads even faster than the gossip.
Keep your child protected by staying up to date with their vaccines 💉✨
🔗 http://NHS.uk/ChildhoodVaccinations
Virus Watch, our weekly look at COVID‑19, flu and other respiratory illnesses, is wrapping up for the season.
You can still keep up to date with the latest respiratory illness data on the UKHSA Data Dashboard: https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/
We've seen an increase in cases of #mpox over recent months, but levels remain much lower than during the 2022 outbreak.
If you're eligible, the mpox vaccine is available routinely along with other vaccines such as 4CMenB for gonorrhoea , HepA, HepB and HPV.
🆕 Norovirus data: activity remains high but has started to decrease in recent weeks.
This will be the final week that we share these graphs on social media. We will continue to monitor norovirus, and you can find all future reports here:🔗 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-norovirus-and-rotavirus-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season
A blotchy, sometimes raised, rash is one of the signs of measles. It’s not usually itchy, and it can look different on different skin tones. 🧒🏼🔴🧒🏾
If you think you or your child has measles, contact your GP practice urgently or call NHS 111. 📞
Studies suggest that some types of pollen & other allergens could be released earlier in the year and for longer durations as the climate warms🌲
This may mean that hay fever could be triggered as early in the year as January or February🤧
Read more: https://bit.ly/4l8TyF5...
Hepatitis C often shows no signs until serious damage is done. It can be treated, so testing is key to help you help reduce your risk.
🔗 http://hepctest.nhs.uk
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas that you cannot see, smell or taste - but it can kill. 😮💨
Make sure you::
🔸 understand the symptoms
🔸 learn who is most at risk
🔸 get fuel-burning appliances checked
🔸 get a CO alarm
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/18/how-to-protect-your-home-and-family-from-the-invisible-danger-of-carbon-monoxide/
R to @UKHSA: 👀 Our infographic shows the number of hospitalisations and positive tests compared to last week for each virus. If you want even more detail, read the full report: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-26-february-2026-week-9
R to @UKHSA: 🟣 COVID-19 activity was stable and is circulating at baseline levels
🔵 RSV activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels
(2/3)
🆕 #UKHSAVirusWatch: The latest flu, COVID-19 and RSV data from our weekly winter surveillance report.
🟢 Flu activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels
(1/3)
🦠⌛If you've had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in your body and can reactivate later in life causing shingles.
If you or someone you know is 65 or over, read our blog post to find out how to get protected against this painful condition.
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/20/what-are-the-symptoms-of-shingles-and-what-is-the-connection-to-chickenpox/
• 🆕 Norovirus data: activity has varied in recent weeks but has now returned to expected levels
🔗 Full report: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-norovirus-and-rotavirus-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season/national-norovirus-and-rotavirus-report-week-9-report-data-to-week-8-data-up-to-22-february-2026
🧠👈 Forgetting to take your dose could cause a big problem for the future of antibiotics. #KeepAntibioticsWorking, and remember these simple steps:
💊 Don’t take them for colds or flu
💊 Don’t save them for later
💊 Take as directed
Anti-bac? Hand-gel? Hand-sanitiser? 🫴
Whatever you call it, it doesn't work against norovirus. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water. 🧼🫧
Getting vaccinated when you’re pregnant helps protect you and your baby from illnesses including whooping cough & RSV. Visit the NHS website to learn more. 💚👶
🔗 http://NHS.uk/PregnancyVaccinations
Off on an adventure abroad? Whether you’re heading for a bit of sun or a long-awaited hug from mum, our blog post helps you stay well while you travel. 🧳🏖️
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/07/02/the-essential-travel-checklist-to-keep-you-and-your-family-healthy-on-holiday/
🌅✈️ Travelling abroad? Don’t forget travel insurance!
Make sure your insurance covers your plans, and any health conditions – and check if you need travel vaccines or antimalarials.
You can visit http://TravelHealthPro.org.uk to see what protection you might need for your destination.
The MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox), has been routinely used in many countries for years. 🌍📅
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/12/17/what-is-the-mmrv-vaccine-and-is-my-child-eligible/
March is around the corner and spring is on the way… even if it might not feel like it when you’ve got a ‘winter illness’. ⛅
Respiratory viruses circulate all year. Our blog explains the key symptoms to help you work out what’s making you unwell. 🤧👇
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/08/do-i-have-flu-covid-19-or-a-cold-know-the-signs-and-symptoms/
Measles, mumps, and chickenpox are 3 viruses that can cause encephalitis, an uncommon but serious swelling of the brain.
The MMRV vaccine protects you against all-3 of these viruses, as well as rubella. 🔴🧠
#Red4WED #WorldEncephalitisDay
It’sa me, Andi! 💊🕹️
Think visiting the Antibiotic Kingdom when you have a cold will make you peachy?
Wrong, antibiotics don’t work against viral infections like colds and flu. 🍑❌
The #MMRV vaccine is now part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule in the UK, adding protection against #chickenpox.
This guide will help you understand when your child should get their MMRV vaccine, if they are eligible to have it.
Read more: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/12/17/what-is-the-mmrv-vaccine-and-is-my-child-eligible/
Vaccinations protect your little one against serious illnesses such as measles, polio and whooping cough.
Check with your GP practice if you think your child might have missed any vaccinations.
🔗 http://nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations
R to @UKHSA: 📄👀 Our infographic shows the number of hospitalisations and positive tests compared to last week for each virus. If you want even more detail, read the full report: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-19-february-2026-week-8
R to @UKHSA: 🟣 COVID-19 activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels
🔵 RSV activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels
🆕 #UKHSAVirusWatch: The latest flu, COVID-19 and RSV data from our weekly winter surveillance report.
🟢 Flu activity decreased and is circulating at baseline levels
🆕 Norovirus data: activity remains high but has stabilised in recent weeks.
🔗 Full report: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-norovirus-and-rotavirus-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season/national-norovirus-and-rotavirus-report-week-8-report-data-to-week-7-data-up-to-15-february-2026
Today we publish our first Cold Mortality Report, showing 2,500 cold-related deaths in England, winter 2024/2025.
Cold can trigger heart attacks, strokes & respiratory problems but the effects are gradual, unlike those of extreme heat.
Read more here: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/18/how-does-cold-weather-affect-health-our-new-report-explores-the-hidden-impact
Vaccines protect your child from measles, whooping cough and other serious illnesses. 🧒
Check if your child has missed vaccinations, look in their red book or speak to your GP practice.
🔗 http://nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations
Vaginal oestrogen may ease symptoms associated with the menopause, such as dryness, irritation and discomfort during sex while also cutting down frequent UTIs. 💧✨
🔗 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng112/informationforpublic
It's the Year of the Horse! 🐴🧧
Galloping across the globe to see loved ones? Even if you’re a regular at your destination, don't let an illness ruin your celebration! 🦠🎊
🛬 Check http://travelhealthpro.org.uk before you go.
It’s concerning to see more children getting measles.
Vaccines are safe, effective and can be life saving. We’re urging all parents to check their children are up to date with their recommended vaccinations.
Our country expects its leaders to stand firmly behind science to protect our children, not to give oxygen to conspiracy theories.
Public health isn’t a culture war. It’s about keeping our communities safe.
🆕 We’re excited to announce the launch of a new government campaign urging parents and guardians to get their little ones vaccinated to protect against serious illnesses such as measles.
🔗 http://nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations
#StayStrongGetVaccinated
A blotchy, sometimes raised, rash is one of the signs of measles. It’s not usually itchy, and it can look different on different skin tones. 🧒🏼🔴🧒🏾
If you think you or your child has measles, contact your GP practice urgently or call NHS 111. 📞
Whatever your souls are made of, use a condom to protect yourself from syphilis and other STIs.🕯️❤️
#InternationalCondomDay #WutheringHeights
Scarlet fever is common in young children and usually mild, but it’s important to get it treated so it doesn’t become something more serious.
If you spot the symptoms below, contact your GP practice.
🔗 https://nhs.uk/conditions/scarlet-fever/