In a stark warning, a top British scientist has declared that another pandemic is “absolutely inevitable” as the world is still reeling from the aftermath of Covid-19. Sir Patrick Vallance, the former chief scientific adviser to the British government, emphasized the need for better preparedness and surveillance to detect future threats.
Speaking at a panel event at the Hay Festival in Powys, Vallance urged the UK government to prioritize pandemic preparations, stating that the country is currently ill-equipped to handle another health crisis. He stressed the importance of implementing measures such as diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatments to prevent drastic steps during a potential future pandemic.
“We know we have to have an army, not because there’s going to be a war this year, but we know it’s an important part of what we need as a nation. We need to treat this preparedness in the same way and not to view it as an easy thing to keep cutting back when there’s no sign of a pandemic – because there won’t be a sign of a pandemic,” Vallance said.
The British scientist also highlighted the World Health Organization’s pandemic accord as a positive step but criticized its lack of focus and urgency. He warned that the G7 had seemingly forgotten his points about pandemic preparations by 2023, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance and readiness.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization recently revealed that Covid-19 has cut global life expectancy by almost two years, erasing a decade of progress. The pandemic, which raged from 2019 to 2021, has had a profound impact on global health, with the average person now expected to live fewer years in good health.