Top UK Scientist Warns Another Pandemic is “Absolutely Inevitable”

Top UK Scientist Warns Another Pandemic is “Absolutely Inevitable”

As the world continues to recover from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, a top British scientist has issued a stark warning – another pandemic is “absolutely inevitable.”

Sir Patrick Vallance, the former chief scientific adviser to the British government, emphasized the urgent need for the UK government to prioritize preparations for future pandemics. In a panel event at the Hay Festival in Powys, Vallance stressed that the country is “not ready” for another global health crisis.

Vallance called for better surveillance measures to detect potential threats of viruses and recommended implementing diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatments to prevent drastic measures during a pandemic. He highlighted the importance of coordination and preparedness, comparing it to maintaining a national army even in times of peace.

“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 scientist also criticized the lack of focus and urgency in the World Health Organization’s pandemic accord, calling for a more proactive approach to global health security.

The warning comes as the WHO recently reported that the Covid-19 pandemic has cut global life expectancy by almost two years, undoing a decade of progress. The study revealed that global life expectancy fell to 71.4 years, the same level as in 2012, and the amount of time an average person can expect to live in good health decreased to 61.9 years in 2021.

With the lasting impact of Covid-19 on global health and the ongoing threat of future pandemics, Vallance’s warning serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and proactive measures to safeguard public health on a global scale.