Britain needs a ‘vaccine taskforce’ to prepare for the next pandemic, Lords warn
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Britain needs a ‘vaccine taskforce’ to prepare for the next pandemic, Lords warn

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain needs a “peacetime vaccine task force” to prepare for the next pandemic, ministers have been warned amid concerns that the government could forget the lessons of Covid-19. Giving evidence in January, Dr Clive Dix, former chair of the vaccine taskforce, said the Conservative government had “destroyed almost everything that was going on” in favour of reliance on Moderna. The committee’s letter added: “Our witnesses raised concerns that “other countries have learned the lessons … from where we are sitting, it appears that government and the public have concluded that the UK can do this and that we do not need to improve our systems”, comparing it unfavourably to the more pro-active EU response discussed below.” It added: “The UK needs to ensure it retains robust vaccine manufacturing and scale-up capacity for the next pandemic, but it is falling behind other countries. Witnesses argued that the UK was fortunate to be able to produce a vaccine at speed in 2020 and should not assume this will be possible in the future without renewed and sustained support, and that this relative success may have led to some complacency compared to countries that have funded vaccine manufacturing more urgently.” Earlier this year the government announced a new partnership with pharma giant Moderna to trial a new norovirus vaccine.

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History of this topic

COVID-19 gave rise to vaccine skepticism. That may affect our preparedness for the next pandemic
6 days, 17 hours ago

COVID-19 gave rise to vaccine skepticism. That may affect our preparedness for the next pandemic

NPR  

COVID-19 gave rise to vaccine skepticism. That may affect our preparedness for the next pandemic SARAH MCCAMMON, HOST: Americans have become more polarized about vaccines in the five years since the COVID-19 pandemic began. NPR's Jude Joffe-Block reports on the challenge this poses to combating public health threats. Motta traces a direct line from Trump's comments five years ago to …

How America lost control of bird flu, setting the stage for another pandemic
3 months ago

How America lost control of bird flu, setting the stage for another pandemic

Salon  

Keith Poulsen’s jaw dropped when farmers showed him images on their cellphones at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin in October. “I don’t know if the bird flu will become a pandemic, but if it does, we are screwed.” To understand how the bird flu got out of hand, KFF Health News interviewed nearly 70 government officials, farmers and farmworkers, …

How America lost control of the bird flu, setting the stage for another pandemic
3 months ago

How America lost control of the bird flu, setting the stage for another pandemic

CNN  

Keith Poulsen’s jaw dropped when farmers showed him images on their cellphones at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin in October. “I don’t know if the bird flu will become a pandemic, but if it does, we are screwed.” To understand how the bird flu got out of hand, KFF Health News interviewed nearly 70 government officials, farmers and farmworkers, …

Are you worried about the NHS this winter? Join The Independent Debate
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Are you worried about the NHS this winter? Join The Independent Debate

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The NHS is bracing for a challenging winter as health experts …

Health Experts Warn of Bird Flu's Pandemic Threat
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Health Experts Warn of Bird Flu's Pandemic Threat

Deccan Chronicle  

Paris: Health experts have been sounding the alarm about the potential pandemic threat posed by bird flu, which has been showing signs of mutating as it spreads among cows and infects people in the United States. The deadly bird flu variant H5N1 first emerged in China in 1996, but over the last four years it has sp More than 300 …

Cases of flu ‘rising rapidly’ as Brits urged to get vaccinations
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Cases of flu ‘rising rapidly’ as Brits urged to get vaccinations

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Cases of winter flu are “rising rapidly” in England as the …

Bird flu vaccine deal agreed to bolster pandemic preparedness
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Bird flu vaccine deal agreed to bolster pandemic preparedness

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Adding the H5 vaccine to our stockpile is one part of our preparedness plans, …

Five million doses of bird flu vaccine bought by UK to prepare for pandemic
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Five million doses of bird flu vaccine bought by UK to prepare for pandemic

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK government has bought more than 5 million doses of …

Australian council takes dramatic stand against Covid vaccines
4 months ago

Australian council takes dramatic stand against Covid vaccines

Daily Mail  

Two Australian local councils, West Tamar in Tasmania and Ceduna in South Australia, have voted to support a controversial conspiracy theory about COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. "The TGA reassures the public that all COVID-19 vaccines approved in Australia have been rigorously assessed and meet our high standards for safety, quality, and efficacy," it stated. Dr. Sladden called for a shift toward …

‘Dire implications’: Experts warn Trump could spark global health crisis with latest idea
4 months, 3 weeks ago

‘Dire implications’: Experts warn Trump could spark global health crisis with latest idea

Raw Story  

Over the weekend Donald Trump said he is considering a ban on not just vaccine mandates, but vaccines themselves—an extension of his embrace of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He is expected to put RFK Jr., a known AIDS denialist and anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist and purveyor of vaccine misinformation who has likened the use of vaccines to the "holocaust," in charge …

Wastewater, infectious diseases and bird flu: what awaits the new Centre for Disease Control
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Wastewater, infectious diseases and bird flu: what awaits the new Centre for Disease Control

ABC  

Amid growing warnings of more pandemics, the Australian government will create a permanent centre to monitor and respond to public health risks like COVID-19. Australians unlikely to accept lockdowns again, independent COVID review says Photo shows People queue while wearing masks Australia's COVID-19 response frayed after early successes, damaging the public's trust, a federal government review has found. Health Minister …

Global Pandemic Threat: 100 Days to Save Lives
5 months, 1 week ago

Global Pandemic Threat: 100 Days to Save Lives

Hindustan Times  

A modelling study suggests that if a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 had been developed within 100 days, an estimated 8.3 million deaths could have been averted globally. The study also estimated that productivity losses due to illness amounting to almost $1.4 trillion and $63 billion of hospitalisation costs would have been averted globally.

Health officials sound alarm over drop in flu vaccine uptake
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Health officials sound alarm over drop in flu vaccine uptake

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Health officials have raised the alarm over a drop in flu …

As COVID-19 ticks up in some places, US advisers recommend a fall vaccination campaign
9 months ago

As COVID-19 ticks up in some places, US advisers recommend a fall vaccination campaign

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Britain not ready for ‘inevitable’ next pandemic, warns ex-chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance
10 months ago

Britain not ready for ‘inevitable’ next pandemic, warns ex-chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Speaking at the Hay Festival, during a panel chaired by The Independent’s editor in chief …

FDA says it's preparing for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four Americans
10 months, 2 weeks ago

FDA says it's preparing for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four Americans

Daily Mail  

The FDA is gearing up for a bird flu pandemic in people that could kill one in four of those it infects, the agency's top official has revealed. Dr Robert Califf, FDA commissioner, pictured speaking to the Senate's agriculture committee on Wednesday The above graph shows the dairy herds that have tested positive for bird flu over time. Officials fear …

COVID-19 vaccines: Much ado about known unknowns
10 months, 3 weeks ago

COVID-19 vaccines: Much ado about known unknowns

The Hindu  

There are things we know that we don’t know. This risk was identified and flagged back in 2021; packaging was modified to insert information associated with the side effects; even the WHO wrote about it first in May 2021 and then in 2023.Read Bindu Shajan Perapaddan’s report on the rare vaccine side-effect is “no secret” and they are “well aware …

Health chiefs 'failed to sound alarm over potential dangers of Covid vaccines': MPs accuse regulator of putting Brits 'at serious risk' by not immediately sharing how Pfizer jabs could trigger extreme
1 year, 1 month ago

Health chiefs 'failed to sound alarm over potential dangers of Covid vaccines': MPs accuse regulator of putting Brits 'at serious risk' by not immediately sharing how Pfizer jabs could trigger extreme

Daily Mail  

Britain's medicines regulator has been accused of failing to sound the alarm over Covid jab side effects, despite allegedly knowing of heart risks for months before warnings were issued. The AAPG letter, penned by its co-chair Graham Stringer the Labour MP for Blackley and Broughton, called for an urgent investigation to be held into The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory …

Nigel Farage calls for public inquiry into Covid vaccine harms, demanding: 'I want know why we were lied to'
1 year, 1 month ago

Nigel Farage calls for public inquiry into Covid vaccine harms, demanding: 'I want know why we were lied to'

Daily Mail  

Nigel Farage today called for a full public inquiry into the harms caused by Covid vaccines. The former UKIP leader said there is 'a lot we need to know' about the jabs and called for a 'massive investigation' into the damage they caused Richard Tice, leader of Reform UK, told GB News that his party would commit to a public …

UK ‘unsafe’ from future pandemic threats, says Oxford Vaccine Group director
1 year, 2 months ago

UK ‘unsafe’ from future pandemic threats, says Oxford Vaccine Group director

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We are really unsafe at this moment for future pandemic threats, because we just don't …

A national information campaign is urgently needed to protect children from measles
1 year, 2 months ago

A national information campaign is urgently needed to protect children from measles

The Independent  

So far, there have been no deaths reported in the latest flare-up of the illness, which was more or less eliminated in this country eight years ago. Unfortunately, pandemic-inspired vaccine scepticism has interacted with a specific problem, in that the usual MMR vaccine contains a pork derivative that is unacceptable to some Muslims. According to Dame Jenny, this is a …

World leaders to meet to discuss threat of hypothetical ‘Disease X’ in Davos
1 year, 2 months ago

World leaders to meet to discuss threat of hypothetical ‘Disease X’ in Davos

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It’s known by the placeholder name of Disease X, …

Civil servants discussed chickenpox Covid comparisons as late as mid-March 2020
1 year, 4 months ago

Civil servants discussed chickenpox Covid comparisons as late as mid-March 2020

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Then-cabinet secretary Lord Sedwill said: “I don’t think PM & Co have internalised yet …

Disease X vaccine ‘could be ready within 100 days of new threat emerging’
1 year, 6 months ago

Disease X vaccine ‘could be ready within 100 days of new threat emerging’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. This is a groundbreaking commitment from CEPI to provide momentum that will drive the …

Expert calls for future pandemic planning amid ‘signals’ from bird flu
1 year, 7 months ago

Expert calls for future pandemic planning amid ‘signals’ from bird flu

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

NHS flu jabs and Covid boosters to be scrapped for millions
1 year, 7 months ago

NHS flu jabs and Covid boosters to be scrapped for millions

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Free flu …

What is ‘Disease X’? UK launches vaccine centre to help tackle new pandemics
1 year, 7 months ago

What is ‘Disease X’? UK launches vaccine centre to help tackle new pandemics

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Professor Dame Jenny Harries, chief executive of UKHSA, said: “What we’re trying to do …

Covid inquiry: David Cameron defends austerity – but admits weakness in preparing for pandemic
1 year, 9 months ago

Covid inquiry: David Cameron defends austerity – but admits weakness in preparing for pandemic

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Giving evidence before inquiry chair Baroness Hallett, Mr Cameron said there was an argument …

How Matt Hancock sought to hog the Covid vaccine limelight
2 years ago

How Matt Hancock sought to hog the Covid vaccine limelight

The Telegraph  

Matt Hancock feared he would not get credit for the UK’s vaccine success and described the speeding up of the jabs rollout as a “Hancock triumph”. The former health secretary’s WhatsApp messages show he fought to be the face of Britain’s vaccine campaign at the height of the pandemic and became furious if he thought others were getting the credit. …

Turkey farmers warn of Christmas shortage due to bird flu
2 years, 4 months ago

Turkey farmers warn of Christmas shortage due to bird flu

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britons face a “severe” shortage of turkeys this Christmas as …

Covid-19 vaccination campaign held back by poor planning, safety board finds
2 years, 5 months ago

Covid-19 vaccination campaign held back by poor planning, safety board finds

Dutch News  

The Dutch vaccination programme against Covid-19 was held back because the government’s initial plan was too reliant on family doctors, a report by the safety council has concluded. In the second of three reports into the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis, the OVV said preparations to set up vaccination centres through the local health board network only started in …

Covid-19 vaccination campaign held back by poor planning, safety board finds
2 years, 5 months ago

Covid-19 vaccination campaign held back by poor planning, safety board finds

Dutch News  

The Dutch vaccination programme against Covid-19 was held back because the government’s initial plan was too reliant on family doctors, a report by the safety council has concluded. In the second of three reports into the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis, the OVV said preparations to set up vaccination centres through the local health board network only started in …

Heatwave and Covid milestone on agenda in PM’s final scheduled Cabinet
2 years, 8 months ago

Heatwave and Covid milestone on agenda in PM’s final scheduled Cabinet

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The outgoing Prime Minister is set to praise the resilience …

UK to offer 4th COVID-19 vaccine shot to all 50 and over
2 years, 8 months ago

UK to offer 4th COVID-19 vaccine shot to all 50 and over

Associated Press  

LONDON — The British government said Friday that everyone 50 or over will be offered a fourth dose of coronavirus vaccine in the fall, lowering the age threshold from the previously announced 65. Fourth doses will also be given to health care workers, nursing home staff and residents, and all those aged 5 and up with health conditions that make …

Director of new pandemic institute urges government to prepare UK for next outbreak
2 years, 8 months ago

Director of new pandemic institute urges government to prepare UK for next outbreak

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The director of a new UK institute dedicated to fighting future …

Covid UK: Calls for booster jabs by Autumn as cases continue to rise
2 years, 9 months ago

Covid UK: Calls for booster jabs by Autumn as cases continue to rise

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Professor Finn suggested September would be a good time to start a new booster campaign …

Sadiq Khan calls on leading vaccine manufacturers to share Covid jab blueprints with world
2 years, 11 months ago

Sadiq Khan calls on leading vaccine manufacturers to share Covid jab blueprints with world

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In a letter co-signed by Sadiq Khan and the mayors of New York and Johannesburg, …

‘Anti-science extremist’: Tory MP shut down for claiming Covid jabs ‘disaster in the making’
2 years, 11 months ago

‘Anti-science extremist’: Tory MP shut down for claiming Covid jabs ‘disaster in the making’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Tory MP …

WHO leader ‘very concerned’ over the UK’s dismantling of Covid testing
3 years ago

WHO leader ‘very concerned’ over the UK’s dismantling of Covid testing

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Anil Soni, chief executive of the WHO Foundation, …

$2.1 billion health package to target COVID-19 and flu spike expected this winter
3 years ago

$2.1 billion health package to target COVID-19 and flu spike expected this winter

ABC  

An extra $2.1 billion will be provided by the federal government amid concerns of rising COVID-19 cases and an expected spike in influenza over winter. Key points: The money will be spent on a number of programs, including extending free rapid tests to concession card holders People are being encouraged to get the influenza vaccine when it becomes available The …

UK pledges £160m to help accelerate vaccine development
3 years, 1 month ago

UK pledges £160m to help accelerate vaccine development

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: …

Scientists cautious as England set to end COVID curbs
3 years, 1 month ago

Scientists cautious as England set to end COVID curbs

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scientists warned the British government …

Research into vaccines against world’s deadliest diseases granted £10m fund
3 years, 1 month ago

Research into vaccines against world’s deadliest diseases granted £10m fund

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Research into vaccines against some of the world’s deadliest diseases …

Ex-senior SAGE scientist says we need vaccines that stop people spreading Covid
3 years, 1 month ago

Ex-senior SAGE scientist says we need vaccines that stop people spreading Covid

Daily Mail  

A former top Government scientific adviser today said the world needs vaccines that are better at stopping Covid transmission to truly end the pandemic. Sir Jeremy Farrar, a former top Government scientific adviser, called for the development of vaccines that were better able to block transmission of Covid The current crop of jabs 'must be celebrated' he said for severing …

Senators propose bipartisan legislation to bolster pandemic preparedness and examine US Covid-19 response
3 years, 2 months ago

Senators propose bipartisan legislation to bolster pandemic preparedness and examine US Covid-19 response

CNN  

Patty Murray and Richard Burr on Tuesday proposed a bipartisan bill that would bolster the US’ pandemic preparedness and probe the origins of Covid-19. The PREVENT Pandemics Act would “examine what has worked, and what has not, during the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and incorporates ideas from multiple members on both sides of the aisle,” according to a …

UK to lift travel test requirements for the vaccinated
3 years, 2 months ago

UK to lift travel test requirements for the vaccinated

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy British Prime Minister Boris Johnson …

Boris Johnson says he wants Global Britain – then stop blocking access to Covid vaccines for poorer countries
3 years, 2 months ago

Boris Johnson says he wants Global Britain – then stop blocking access to Covid vaccines for poorer countries

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The government’s current position blocking the …

UK health chiefs believed pandemic was ‘imminent’ in 1997, recommended reducing non-essential travel
3 years, 2 months ago

UK health chiefs believed pandemic was ‘imminent’ in 1997, recommended reducing non-essential travel

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nearly 25 years ago, UK health chiefs predicted that a rapidly …

Meeting target for Covid boosters will be a monumental challenge, Sturgeon says
3 years, 3 months ago

Meeting target for Covid boosters will be a monumental challenge, Sturgeon says

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But as she stressed vaccination was the “best line of defence” against Omicron, Ms …

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