Next Pandemic Is “Absolutely Inevitable”, Warns Top British Scientist
Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK’s former chief scientific advisor, has warned that another pandemic is a certainty and the incoming government needs to prioritise preparedness, according to The Guardian. Speaking at the Hay Festival, Vallance acknowledged the upcoming election but stressed the urgency of “sorting out” critical issues.
One of the most pressing matters, according to Mr Vallance, is establishing “better surveillance” to detect emerging threats early. He emphasised the importance of rapid response, echoing his message to G7 leaders in 2021.
Mr Vallance believes readily available diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments could prevent the need for drastic measures witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. While achievable, these improvements require significant international “coordination,” he cautioned.
According to The Guardian, he remarked that by 2023, the G7 had “sort of forgotten” the points he had made in 2021. He urged, “You can’t forget about it,” and recommended that pande..