The UK has a longstanding reputation for vaccine development. The first vaccination ever developed was in the UK by Edward Jenner in 1796 for smallpox.1
The UK has a longstanding reputation for vaccine development. The first vaccination ever developed was in the UK by Edward Jenner in 1796 for smallpox.1
Vaccines are checked at every stage as they are researched, tested and manufactured. Their safety and effectiveness continues to be monitored for as long as they are in use.
The standard for testing and monitoring vaccines is higher than it is for most other medicines, because they are one of the few medical treatments given to healthy people.2
This short video explains the process of research and development for vaccines.3
The steps are:
This short video explains the process of research and development for vaccines.3
The steps are:
Discovery and
pre-clinical:
The disease is researched to identify a possible vaccine, which is tested to check it meets safety standards.
Manufacturing:
The manufacturing process is developed, to ensure production of identical, high-quality vaccines at a large scale.
Clinical trials:
The vaccine is tested for safety and effectiveness, starting with small numbers of volunteers and building up to thousands.
Licensing:
The vaccine is evaluated by the independent regulator.
If approved, a license is granted to make it available for use.
Quality testing:
Vaccines are tested at every stage of production to make sure they meet quality and safety standards consistently.
Safety monitoring:
The vaccine is evaluated by the independent regulator.
If approved, a license is granted to make it available for use.
Finding a new vaccine begins with understanding the structure of the virus or bacteria and how it causes infection.
Vaccines generally contain a harmless form of the bacteria or virus that causes the disease. The bacteria or virus will be killed, greatly weakened, or broken down into small parts before being used to trigger an immune response without causing illness.
A number of things came together to allow COVID-19 vaccines to be developed quickly, while keeping to the normal, extremely high quality and safety standards.
All this meant that COVID vaccines were developed quickly, while keeping all the normal processes and standards. 4
This short video explains the process of research and development for vaccines.5
The steps are:
This short video explains the process of research and development for vaccines.5
The steps are:
How does manufacturing begin?
Raw materials like glucose, bacteria and trace minerals form the basis of the vaccine.
What is the purification process?
The active ingredient is created, separated and purified by removing waste materials and by-products.
How is the vaccine packaged?
The formula is put into sterilised vials or syringes for distribution.
What is batch testing?
Checks are conducted on every batch of vaccine produced. This important stage is where the vaccine undergoes quality, identity and sterility tests.
At what point is the vaccine released?
Only after a Qualified Person has reviewed all the data from the manufacturing and testing process. The vaccine is then certified that it meets quality, safety and efficacy criteria.
How is the vaccine transported?
Directly from the factory under controlled conditions – these vary by vaccine – so that it remains in the same condition as it left.
Vaccines must be monitored and regulated throughout their lifetime. The pharmaceutical company has a duty to monitor the vaccine and make sure it performs safely for as long as it’s on the market. This process is called pharmacovigilance and it helps inform regulators about previously unknown side effects.
Collecting this data provides a better understanding of what a vaccine can do and how it might be used to treat other conditions or unlock basic science to progress new treatments for future generations.
As well as researching and developing new vaccines, the pharmaceutical industry is exploring ways to make vaccines more effective, and easier to use. That’s especially important for infectious diseases that impact parts of the world without developed healthcare systems.
For example, research aims to reduce the need for multiple doses of a vaccine by boosting the body’s immune response.5
Pharmaceutical companies are also looking at ways to make vaccines easier to use. This includes creating new types of packaging, and using drones to make storage and delivery easier.6
