The national effort to get flu shots in the arms of vulnerable Brits has received a massive boost after the largest vaccine manufacturing site of its type in the UK started work in Liverpool.
Although there has understandably been intense focus on the roll out of the coronavirus vaccine, the annual flu vaccination programme is also vitally important to easing winter pressures on the NHS.
The high-speed syringe filling and packing facility in Renaissance Way, Speke, operated by pharmaceutical firm Seqirus, will produce more than 50 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine each year, with the ability to increase production to 200 million doses in the event of an influenza pandemic.
The site now has a high-speed fill-and-finish facility, which enables start-to-finish onshore manufacturing, where previously the vaccine would be sent abroad to be put into syringes and packed, reports Business Live.
This enables Seqirus to complete the entire start-to-end vaccine manufacturing process at the Liverpool site and shortens the supply lead time by more than one to two weeks per batch.
The new facility represents an investment of nearly £50m, creating more than 120 jobs.
It was completed over a four-year period and is the result of a collaboration with local government, which contributed £1m.
The new filling line will allow Seqirus to produce finished doses of influenza vaccine more quickly in the event of an influenza pandemic.
Nigel Hilton, head of manufacturing and site head at Liverpool, said: "Bringing the fill-and-finish capability in house means we can simplify the supply chain, allowing us to shorten lead times to supply vaccines to the UK and other governments who need them.
"The £50m investment also benefits the local Liverpool economy with the introduction of more than 120 high value local jobs at the site, with even more jobs opening up as we expand our supply capability further.
Sharon McHale, head of global policy and government affairs at Seqirus, added: "This is a proud moment for Seqirus and our local partners who helped make this possible.
"Our ability to make vaccines from start-to-finish on our Liverpool site enables us to be better assured of a continued supply of seasonal influenza vaccines in the UK and beyond, and speed response to the next influenza pandemic."
