Vaccine Expert: UK Less Ready For Pandemic Than Pre-Covid

The UK is less prepared for a pandemic than it was before the Covid crisis after driving away jab manufacturers and relying on a narrow range of shots, according to the country's former vaccine chief.

- Ian Sample

Dr Clive Dix, who chaired the UK's vaccine taskforce, told MPs yesterday there had been "a complete demise" of work to ensure the UK was better equipped with vaccines for the next pandemic, noting that all the activities were "literally gone".

The vaccine taskforce is widely regarded as a rare highlight in Britain's Covid response. It was led by the venture capitalist Kate Bingham and Dix, who took over as chair in December 2020 when Britain became the first country to roll out Covid jabs.