COVID-19:  The Search for a Vaccine

Ep1: The UK Vaccine Taskforce - Portfolio Strategy

In the first episode, Neil McNeil talks to Kate Bingham, Chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce, and Sir Patrick Vallance, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, about the aims of the Vaccine Taskforce, how the various types of potential vaccine against COVID-19 work, the likelihood of success, the very latest developments, the obstacles to producing a successful vaccine, the steps being taken to make sure any such vaccine is distributed world-wide, and when - if at all – a vaccine might be made available. For more information and for the latest Government guidelines please go to gov.uk/coronavirus Don’t forget to register on www.nhs.uk/coronavirus to sign up to be contacted for coronavirus vaccine research. This series was produced by Sophie King

“COVID-19:  The Search for a Vaccine” is a series of podcasts which throws light on the work of the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce in co-ordinating and expediting efforts to protect the UK against COVID-19 through vaccination as quickly as possible.  The series looks at the most promising research; the different approaches to producing a vaccine; and how suitable vaccines are identified and acquired.  What are the greatest obstacles?  What steps are being taken to ensure sufficient manufacturing capacity?  Working at speed, how can we be sure that trials – and any vaccine - are safe?  These and other questions will be put to the leading experts in the field, episode by episode, as the international effort to produce a vaccine continues.