Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the UK's vaccine (a) development and (b) production to respond effectively to emerging diseases.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) continually reviews the United Kingdom’s current vaccination programmes and carries out horizon-scanning of vaccines in development over the next 3-5 years. This ensures JCVI advice to the Government includes the best available vaccines to deal with current and emerging diseases.

To deal with rapidly emerging threats, the Department’s Global Health Security Programme also provides core funding to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). For instance, regarding the current spread of novel coronavirus, CEPI are supporting three programmes developing vaccines against this disease.

Furthermore, our first dedicated Vaccines Manufacturing Innovation Centre was announced in December 2018 and has been awarded £66 million by the UK Government. It will act as a focal point for the establishment of a modern Vaccines Manufacturing Industry in the UK and is expected to be operational in 2022.