How much better prepared is the UK now, for the next big disease threat? SITC questions senior medics and scientists
In the third session of its inquiry into the learnings from the covid-19 pandemic the SITC will question three panels of senior scientists and medics on how prepared the UK is to respond quickly to the emergence of the next big disease threat.
Meeting details
As with Covid-19, which is understood to have jumped the animal-human barrier - termed zoonotic disease – from bats, the pandemic was quickly followed by the emergence of ‘monkey pox’ in people, and the major global swine and avian flu outbreaks currently loom as serious risks to humans.
The Committee will explore with the expert witnesses global actions and progress on the 100 Days Mission, which aims to develop the means to “reduce the impact of future pandemics by making diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines available within 100 days.”
The Committee will also examine the establishment and closure of the lighthouse laboratory network, including the c. £450 million Rosalind Franklin Laboratory which was opened to increase diagnostic capacity in the pandemic but has been closed and recently listed for sale on Rightmove, seemingly counter to the stated aims of the 100 Days Mission and of increasing wider UK capabilities.
The session will also examine the UK legacy from the UK Vaccine Taskforce and the current vaccine development climate, capacity and capability in the event of the next big disease threat, often referred to as ‘Disease X’.