{"id":53759,"date":"2024-12-06T09:37:06","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T09:37:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=53759"},"modified":"2024-12-06T09:37:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-06T09:37:06","slug":"house-of-lords-raises-concerns-over-uks-pandemic-preparedness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/house-of-lords-raises-concerns-over-uks-pandemic-preparedness\/53759\/","title":{"rendered":"House of Lords raises concerns over UK’s pandemic preparedness"},"content":{"rendered":"
In a letter to Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, Chair of the Committee, outlined critical gaps in the UK’s pandemic preparedness<\/a>, particularly vaccine manufacturing capacity, urging immediate government action.<\/p>\n Baroness Brown emphasised the need for a resilient, diversified domestic vaccine manufacturing sector.<\/p>\n She described this as a “critically important sovereign capability” vital for national security and public health.<\/p>\n Pandemic preparedness refers to a country’s readiness to prevent, detect, and respond to global health threats, particularly infectious diseases that can escalate into pandemics.<\/p>\n It involves establishing robust systems for disease surveillance, public health interventions, research, and vaccine manufacturing to ensure a swift and effective response to emerging threats.<\/p>\n The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the devastating impact of unpreparedness, highlighting the need for resilient healthcare systems<\/a> and rapid vaccine deployment<\/a>.<\/p>\n As new biological threats loom, strengthening pandemic preparedness is essential to safeguard public health and economic stability.<\/p>\n The COVID-19 pandemic showcased the UK’s potential to excel in vaccine development, with initiatives like the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine emerging as global successes.<\/p>\n However, experts fear that the momentum gained during the pandemic is waning. According to the Committee, vaccine manufacturing facilities and skilled teams are at risk of being mothballed, leaving the UK vulnerable to future outbreaks.<\/p>\n Despite its strengths in bioprocess engineering, academic research, and pharmaceutical expertise, the UK has yet to capitalise fully on these advantages.<\/p>\nWhat is pandemic preparedness?<\/h3>\n
Lessons from COVID-19<\/h3>\n
Challenges facing UK vaccine manufacturing<\/h3>\n