Preparing for the next pandemic is a global responsibility – the UK has a vital role to play

Telegraph

19-02-2025

The Covid-19 pandemic was a powerful reminder that no country can stand alone in a global health crisis. It took unprecedented collaboration between governments, scientists, and industry to develop and deliver vaccines at speed. The UK played a leading role in this effort, from the rapid development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to supporting global access through Covax – but now we risk being left behind.
The UK has long been a global leader in life sciences. Its research institutions, scientists, and companies are at the forefront of medical innovation. But developing a vaccine is only half the battle – ensuring it can be produced at scale and distributed quickly is just as crucial. The UK's leadership in science must be matched by manufacturing capacity and strength.
The Covid Inquiry has highlighted the need for onshore vaccine manufacturing to strengthen the UK's resilience in future pandemics. However, recent global developments raise concerns about long-term preparedness. If the UK is to maintain its position as a leader in global health, investment in vaccine manufacturing and stockpiling must remain a priority. In today's rapidly fragmenting world, it's a matter of self -reliance.
Many countries are learning from the lessons of Covid-19 and strengthening their vaccine security. The European Union, through its Health Emergency and Preparedness Authority (HERA), is investing in advanced manufacturing capabilities to ensure vaccine supply during health emergencies. Our sister company, Bilthoven Biologicals, is part of this initiative, contributing to a European-wide preparedness with a new facility which has just opened in the Netherlands.
We are continuing to grow and scale our efforts. At Serum Institute of India, we have built the world's largest pandemic preparedness facility, capable of producing between five and 10 billion doses in times of crisis, ensuring supply for India and beyond. We are also collaborating with organisations like CEPI for their 100 Days Mission, which aims to develop and deploy vaccines within 100 days of a new pandemic pathogen emerging.
These efforts reflect a broader recognition that pandemic preparedness requires sustained investment. And in this, public-private collaboration is key; governments and the private sector must work together to strengthen vaccine manufacturing and research.
Put simply: to ensure domestic manufacturing capacity remains strong and can rapidly scale up in a crisis, sustained government support is essential.
At the same time, global commitments to health security must remain strong. The UK is reportedly considering cuts to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, while the United States has withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO) and significantly reduced the workforce of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – a move that could weaken global pandemic preparedness efforts. These shifts risk undermining the very systems that helped combat Covid-19.
The pandemic taught us that no country can stand alone in a health crisis. It also reminded us how even the strongest supply chains and bilateral agreements can face unexpected challenges.
If we are to ensure global preparedness, governments must reinforce their commitments—not step away from them. This is why the UK must take steps to strengthen its capabilities and be ready to tackle any future health crisis.
More than reacting to crises, pandemic preparedness is about shaping the future. The UK has long been a pioneer in global health, and this is a moment to lead. The choice is clear: invest now and be ready – or risk being caught unprepared when the next pandemic strikes.
With the right investments, the UK can be sure that when the next global health emergency comes, vaccines reach all those who need them, quickly and equitably.
The window for action is now. By acting today, the UK can help create a world that never faces the same supply chain struggles, delays, and inequities that defined the last pandemic. The world will be watching – let's make sure history looks back on this moment as one where we got it right.