Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK’s former chief scientific advisor, has issued a stark warning that another pandemic is certain and that the incoming government must prioritize preparedness.
Speaking at the Hay Festival, Vallance emphasized the urgency of addressing critical public health issues despite the upcoming general election.
Need for Enhanced Surveillance:
Vallance stressed the importance of “better surveillance” to detect emerging health threats early.
He highlighted the necessity of having diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments readily available to avoid the drastic measures seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Achieving this goal, he noted, requires significant international coordination.
Joe Biden literally said at a Press Conference earlier there’s going to be another Pandemic. It’s amazing that he knows this. Lol. pic.twitter.com/3NNmfvNYfJ
— Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) April 2, 2023
Lessons Forgotten from Previous G7 Meetings:
Reflecting on his message to G7 leaders in 2021, Vallance lamented that by 2023, many of his recommendations had been largely forgotten.
“You can’t forget about it,” he urged, recommending that pandemic preparedness be treated with the same seriousness as national defense.
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“We know we have to have an army, not because there’s going to be a war this year, but because it’s an important part of what we need as a nation. We need to treat this preparedness in the same way and not view it as an easy thing to keep cutting back when there’s no sign of a pandemic—because there won’t be a sign of a pandemic.”
Support for WHO Pandemic Accord:
Vallance praised the World Health Organisation’s push for a pandemic accord, a proposed agreement to facilitate international collaboration on pandemic preparedness.
However, he expressed concerns about the lack of sufficient focus on this issue.
Vallance warned that if pandemic preparedness is removed from the G7 and G20 agendas, the world risks facing the same unpreparedness as before.
“We will be in the same situation, and I hope that is a key outcome of the inquiry,” he said.
Call for More Efficient Inquiries:
Addressing the efficiency of inquiries, Vallance noted the need for a faster and more effective approach.
“We must find a better way to conduct them,” he stated, emphasizing that timely and actionable insights are crucial in managing future health crises.
Praise for Anti-Smoking Bill:
While Vallance believes it is time for an election, he commended the outgoing government’s efforts on the anti-smoking bill.
He expressed disappointment that the bill will not be passed before the election and urged that it be addressed quickly afterward.
“I think this needs to be addressed quickly afterward,” he said.
