Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number and diversity of vaccines proceeding through clinical trials, and the resources that will be required to assess their clinical and cost effectiveness in a timely manner.

As part of its horizon scanning work, the Department works closely with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to stay abreast of vaccines under development and to factor them into future planning and prioritisation work as appropriate. This includes consideration of the expert and analytical resource that will be required to assess their effectiveness, both clinical and cost. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency also plays a role in considering vaccines proceeding through clinical trials and considers them for licensing as they become ready.