Wednesday, 15 July 2026
NHS sepsis monitoring pilot, Ebola vaccine trial begins, Gonorrhoea vaccine effectiveness
- 01
NHS to Pilot Wearable Tech for Sepsis Monitoring
The NHS plans to provide wearable devices to patients at risk of sepsis to monitor vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate at home. These devices will automatically alert hospital staff if a patient's condition deteriorates, prompting further testing for sepsis. This initiative aims to reduce sepsis-related deaths, with the UK Sepsis Trust estimating 48,000 deaths annually. The NHS estimates that implementing this technology could prevent approximately 1,000 deaths each year.
via BMJ
- 02
UK Trial of Ebola Vaccine Against Bundibugyo Strain Begins
Researchers in the UK are recruiting volunteers for a trial of a new vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Developed by Oxford University in eight weeks, the ChAdOx1 BDBV vaccine uses technology similar to that of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has granted conditional approval for the phase 1 trial, which will evaluate safety and immune response in 50 healthy adults aged 18-55. Vaccinations are set to commence soon, with the Serum Institute of India having already produced approximately 620,000 doses.
via BMJ
- 03
Australian Study Questions Effectiveness of Gonorrhoea Vaccine Rollout in England
A recent Australian study indicates that the 4CMenB (Bexsero) vaccine, offered in England to reduce gonorrhoea rates, did not lower infections among high-risk gay and bisexual men. The GoGoVax trial involved 587 participants, with no significant difference in infection rates between those receiving the vaccine and those given a placebo. This finding challenges the effectiveness of England's national gonorrhoea vaccination programme, which began in August 2025. The authors concluded that the vaccine is not effective for preventing gonorrhoea in this high-risk population.
via BMJ
- 04
Changes in Medicare Residency Positions Reported
A cross-sectional study examines the allocation of resident training spots by specialty and rurality. It assesses whether the newly allocated positions align with the targets established by the Consolidated Appropriations Acts of 2021 and 2023. These changes could influence the future healthcare workforce landscape, particularly in relation to specialty distribution and rural training opportunities.
via JAMA
- 05
ACOG Issues New Maternal Immunization Schedule for 2026
The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has released a maternal immunization schedule for 2026. This marks the first instance of ACOG providing formal vaccine guidance that diverges from federal recommendations. The new schedule may influence vaccination practices among pregnant patients.
via JAMA
- 06
Postoperative Delirium Linked to Long-Term Cognitive Decline
A recent study indicates that postoperative delirium may strongly predict long-term cognitive decline in older adults, regardless of their illness or frailty status. This finding underscores the importance of monitoring cognitive outcomes in this patient population following surgery.
via JAMA
MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.