Scottish factory expanding for vaccine
● Livingston plant expects 75 new jobs for the production of 60 million jabs
to 100 million doses of the vaccine across the UK and internationally.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma visited the factory yesterday to hear about plans to scale-up production.
Valneva’s vaccine, which is called VLA2001, is one of four potential vaccines which the UK government has secured rights for.
Mr Sharma said: “I’m incredibly grateful to our highlyskilled scientists and technicians in Livingston who are supporting the global effort to research, develop and manufacture a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine.”
He continued: “The multi-million-pound upfront investment we have agreed with Valneva today means that their vaccine can be manufactured in quantity right here in Scotland.
“If clinical trials are successful, millions of people in priority groups across the UK will be protected by their lifesaving vaccine.”
Speaking on BBC’S Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Sharma said the French company hoped to secure regulatory approval for its vaccine in the second half of next year.
He said: “We’re looking at a whole range of ways we can support and bring forward a successful vaccine, in addition to that we’re also investing in manufacturing in the UK and supporting the international effort.”
Following his visit, Mr Sharma said a potential vaccine from Astrazeneca was “ahead of the pack in terms of clinical trials”, but added: “It is entirely possible to imagine you have a number of potential vaccines, but they are deployed in different parts of the population.” Mr Sharma also urged caution about the prospect of a working vaccine, stressing there was “no guarantee” any attempt would be effective.
Asked about the timeline for when a potential vaccine could be available, he said: “Ultimately, we’ll just have to see where any of these vaccines come out in terms of their efficacy. I don’t think anyone can predict precisely when this will happen.”
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “We are doing everything possible to keep people in all parts of the UK safe as we tackle the coronavirus pandemic. The UK government is purchasing millions of doses of coronavirus vaccine for distribution across all parts of the UK. A safe and effective vaccine is vital to the long-term protection against the virus we need.
“I’m particularly pleased Scotland’s world-class research sector is playing such an important role in developing a much-needed vaccine.”
Valneva said the final supply agreement would be concluded in the coming weeks.
Its chief financial officer, David Lawrence, said: “We are delighted to receive initial funding from UK government to support the expansion of our Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing facilities.
“We are thrilled the secretary of state has made time to travel to Livingston and visit our site, it’s a real sign of the government’s commitment.”