UK pledges £160m to boost global vaccine development

The UK will pledge £160m to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to speed up vaccine development.

Since its inception the UK has supported CEPI and provided £276m for the organisation’s life-saving work since 2018.

Sajid Javid, Health and Social Care Secretary said: “The UK’s ground-breaking science and research has led the way on vaccines and treatments, it is helping us learn to live with COVID-19. Our £160m pledge will support CEPI’s vital work to cut vaccine development to 100 days and protect us all against future health threats.

“The UK, as a global leader, is helping other countries most in need because no one is safe until everyone is safe.”

Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, commented: “This funding comes at a critical moment, allowing CEPI to pursue our ambitious programme to develop ‘variant proof’ vaccines against COVID-19 and other betacoronaviruses as well as pursue our life saving work developing vaccines against the next Disease X and known viral threats such as Lassa Fever, Nipah and Chikungunya.

“Contemplating future pandemics is difficult, especially as we continue to battle the current one, but the threat is real and we must seize this rare convergence of political will, practical experience, and scientific progress to build a world that is better prepared.

“We thank the UK government for elevating the 100 Day Mission to a G7 priority through its Presidency of the G7 in 2021 and for extending its support today. CEPI is proud to continue our collaboration with the UK government and its world-leading life-sciences sector to build a better, safer, more equitable future for all.”

Liz Truss, Foreign Secretary added: “UK scientists and researchers have led the way in developing vaccines to tackle COVID-19, which have saved millions of lives around the world and are key to restoring our freedoms.

“I urge other potential donors to step up and fund this vital work to help us avoid future pandemics, save millions of lives and prevent trillions in economic damage.”