Covid-19 transmission, vaccines, and UK’s winter preparedness: MPs to hear from scientific experts

Purpose of the session

The session, part of the Committee’s inquiry into UK Science, Research and Technology Capability and Influence in Global Disease Outbreaks, will be held across three panels—the first on virus transmission, the second on vaccines, and the third on topics including novel variants, the potential risks of current levels of viral prevalence, and preparedness for other winter respiratory illnesses.

Other topics for discussion are likely to include the long-term efficacy of vaccines and other treatments in fighting the virus; advice on best practice for interventions to limit transmission; lessons from overseas on booster jabs; and policy on vaccinating children.

Witnesses

Tuesday 26 October

At 9.30am

Panel one:

• Professor Andrew Curran, Chief Scientific Adviser, Health and Safety Executive; and
• Professor Mario Mondelli, Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Pavia.

 Panel two (at approx. 10:15am)

• Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Professor of Paediatric Infection and Immunity, University of Oxford; and
• Dr Sharon Alroy-Preis, Director of Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Israel.

Panel three (at approx. 11:00am)

• Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, Clinical Professor of Immunopharmacology, University of Southampton;
• Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department of Health and Social Care; and
• Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Social Care.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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