Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock MP, has revealed plans to increase the production of Covid vaccines in the UK after being questioned on the matter by Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies.
Taking part in Parliament proceedings on Tuesday, James praised all that has been achieved in the UK with regards developing, producing and rolling-out Covid vaccines across the UK, and was keen to know how the UK Government plans to improve the vaccine operation further.
Questioning the Health Secretary, he said:
“The development, production and roll-out of vaccines in Britain is increasingly envied across the world, and the Wockhardt factory in north Wales is playing its part in that process. What plans does my right hon. Friend have to increase the production of vaccines in the UK further, both to meet our own needs and to allow us to assist our friends in the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere?”
In his response Matt Hancock told James that the onshoring of vaccine manufacturing is “an incredibly important part of our strategy.”
He added:
“We were previously very, very good at the research and at the regulation of vaccines, but onshore manufacturing was sparse. We have built that manufacturing capability, including at Wockhardt on the Wrexham industrial estate, as my hon. Friend mentioned, and also now with production in Scotland, Teesside and elsewhere, with more to come.
“It is a strategic choice that this country should make that we should bring onshore the manufacturing in critical industries and of critical products such as vaccines, not least because there is not going to be a global glut of vaccine manufacturing capability for a long time to come. We are at the forefront of the science, and we should be at the forefront of the manufacturing and production.”
Speaking afterwards, James said:
“I was extremely pleased to hear that the UK Government is planning to manufacture more vaccines here in the UK and hope this will lead to the greater contribution of sites in North Wales too. The UK Government has negotiated orders for vaccines which are potentially well in excess of what the population of the country requires but our own manufacturing capability is important while supply from elsewhere is uncertain. Our own facilities will also allow us to respond quickly and comprehensively with the altered vaccines which may be required as new viral strains develop, and to assist the world effort against Covid by exporting supplies to other countries.
“The progress that has been made, and continues to be made, in the UK in regards to vaccination is incredible and provides people with real hope that a return to normal life is getting ever closer.”
