Coronavirus (COVID-19) Debate

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Tuesday 3rd March 2020

(4 years, 8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Trefgarne Portrait Lord Trefgarne (Con)
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My Lords, can my noble friend indicate a little more about the search for a vaccine for this disease? Who is leading the search, and is the United Kingdom involved?

Lord Bethell Portrait Lord Bethell
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Public Health England is leading the search and British scientists are playing an incredibly important role. However, the guidance I would give the House is from the CMO: the heaviest impact of this epidemic is likely to be within weeks, whereas the search for a vaccine is likely to take at least months and possibly years.