Deal struck to supply vaccines in UK for any future flu pandemic

The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) has agreed an advance buy settlement (APA) with healthcare firm CSL Seqirus for it to supply greater than 100 million vaccines within the occasion a flu pandemic is said.

The UKHSA mentioned that is the primary time the manufacturing course of can be based mostly completely within the UK, guaranteeing entry to vaccines if the worldwide demand outweighs provide.

In December 2020, UK grandmother Margaret Keenan turned the primary particular person on the earth to be given the Pfizer Covid-19 jab due to agreements made on procuring coronavirus vaccines.

The brand new vaccines can be developed and examined to match the pandemic flu pressure circulating on the time, with the jabs made at CSL Seqirus’s present manufacturing plant in Liverpool.

Professor Dame Jenny Harries, chief govt of the UKHSA, mentioned: “We’ve seen from previous pandemic occasions, together with Covid-19, that entry to efficient vaccines is important to assist save lives and minimise disruption to our lives and livelihoods.

“This settlement represents a serious step ahead in our preparedness in opposition to future influenza pandemics.

“Manufacturing these probably life-saving vaccines contained in the UK offers us speedier and safer entry, enabling us to roll them out to those that want them extra rapidly.”

Vaccines minister Maria Caulfield mentioned: “This cope with CSL Seqirus locations us on the entrance foot if we’re confronted with an influenza pandemic sooner or later.

“It is going to guarantee vaccines are manufactured within the UK – enabling us to get jabs into arms quick no matter international demand and save 1000’s of lives.”

Marc Lacey, international govt director at CSL Seqirus, mentioned: “CSL Seqirus is a world chief in pandemic influenza preparedness, and we’re happy the UK Authorities will proceed to associate with us in making ready to supply safety in opposition to the potential of a flu pandemic.”