A new vaccine development unit opened at high-security Porton Down laboratories in bid to tackle ‘Disease X
New vaccine facility revealed at Porton Down Global Health Security Reporter
Inside Porton Down: the new unit set up to fight the next pandemic More than 200 scientists will be housed at the new centre developing vaccines for bird flu, Mpox and Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever A new vaccine development unit has opened at the high-security Porton Down laboratories in a bid to tackle ‘Disease X’ and other unknown future threats. The Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC) in Wiltshire will house more than 200 scientists working to support development of vaccines to protect against threats including avian influenza, Mpox and Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever. Run by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the unit is designed to support the global “100 Days Mission” on vaccines, which aims to create prototype vaccines for all major viral pathogens ahead of a new outbreak. “This new centre cements the UK’s global position spearheading pandemic preparedness, vaccine development, and scientific discovery,” said Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. “This state-of-the-art complex will also help us deliver on our commitment to produce new vaccines within 100 days of a new threat being identified.” The Telegraph was part of a small group of reporters shown round the new 2,800-square metre facility last week. It is situated at the UKHSA’s Porton Down site, where it is co-located with other high security services like the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. The unit’s work supports the development of new vaccines by testing and evaluating them against threats capable of causing a health emergency. More than 100 separate projects are underway, with a focus on the viruses that appear to present the clearest danger. “Our priority is always what is needed in the UK,” said Dr Bassam Hallis, the UKHSA’s Porton Down deputy director. “At the moment that’s H5N1, avian influenza – we need a [new] vaccine for humans.” H5N1 has killed tens of millions of farmed and wild birds around the world and has more recently impacted a wide range of mammals including foxes, mink, sea lions, dolphins and even domestic cats. While there have been isolated cases of H5N1 humans, including four poultry workers in the UK, the virus has not yet gained the ability to spread human to human. “We’re getting the tools ready that we would need if the virus transmits from people to people,” said Dr Hallis. “We are absolutely stepping up preparedness efforts for H5N1,” added Dr Oliver. “We’ve strengthened our surveillance, and are testing people who may have been exposed to it.” Other vaccines being given priority by the unit include Lassa Fever and Nipah, both of which sit on the World Health Organization’s list of potentially pandemic pathogens for which there are no pharmaceutical countermeasures.
