The UK must “prepare for the worst” this winter rather than relying on the development of a coronavirus vaccine, a senior scientist has warned.
Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, told MPs that planning for the pandemic had relied “too heavily on assumptions” and it was better to prepare to face the colder months without banking on a breakthrough by scientists hunting for a vaccination.
At a hearing of the science and technology committee, Tory chairman Greg Clark asked if the country should be preparing for the winter without a coronavirus vaccine, or if one might be ready in time.
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Sir John said: “This whole epidemic has relied too heavily on assumptions that have turned out not to be true.
“So, my strong advice is be prepared for the worst.”
He also said medics were concerned there will be “pandemonium in A&E departments” if there is a serious flu season alongside coronavirus this winter.
Sir John called for greater investment into infrastructure around manufacturing vaccines as it was “pretty lamentable” at the beginning of the pandemic.
He also urged ministers not to rely on vaccines imported from the US because “you will not get it until a long way down the line”.
Kate Bingham, chair of government vaccine taskforce, said she was “optimistic” a vaccine would be found but warned that “in the near term we may have to satisfy ourselves with a vaccine that reduces the severity of the disease” – rather than providing complete protection from Covid-19.
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