Helen McDonald

I am a clinical epidemiologist who uses routinely collected health record data to study public health, with a focus on vaccine uptake, safety and effectiveness.

I previously led the research theme 'Making the most of real-world data' at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Vaccines and Immunisation, a partnership between LSHTM and UK Health Security Agency.

I first joined the NHS as a nursing auxiliary, then studied medicine (intercalating in philosophy). I was a clinical advisor to the Chief Medical Officer from 2007 to 2008. I then worked as a junior doctor in London, and trained in public health, working across a variety of organisations including local health protection teams, Local Authorities, NHS England (London) and the Department of Health.