ANALYSIS

COVID-19 is one of the biggest challenges our health system has ever faced.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has been playing a key role as part of the UK Government’s response.

Our work to support and authorise the development of new vaccines has been our top priority. This work includes authorising the clinical trials needed to ensure new medicines and vaccines are brought safely to the public.

Through our laboratories at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, we are also at the heart of the science and research into the virus and standards that help development of diagnostics, where the UK is playing a global role.

The new measures announced by the Government today will help the MHRA and our whole health system to take forward this vital work.

Our robust system of licencing for new medicines and vaccines will always be the preferred and most likely route to bring new vaccines to the public. However, these measures include reinforced safeguards which will support us in granting temporary authorisation for the use of a new Covid-19 vaccine if necessary – but only if it meets the highest safety and quality standards.

With great progress already being made in vaccine development, the measures will also ensure that the health service will be able to deploy an expanded and fully trained workforce that can administer vaccines, protecting the public.

Through our work, and with these new measures, we are strengthening our ability to deploy a UK-wide vaccination programme that will save lives and help to bring the pandemic to an end.