Dr. Christine Kelly:

I will make a quick point. I agree it is really important that we think about the need for change. Production has been an issue all the way through this, and it will be an issue again. We may have a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. We may have a completely new virus that is capable of causing a pandemic. The chances of that are probably going to increase over time. Climate change, urbanisation and global mobility are all increasing the risk of a new viral pandemic. The current model that we have, whereby bilateral agreements between governments and the pharmaceutical industry are prioritised and leftover supplies are given to those with lower buying power, has to change. It will change eventually. The question for us is whether we want to do it sooner rather than later. I feel that Ireland is in a really good position to stand up and take leadership on that now. We have to drive forward a new global vaccination distribution model that is centrally based and clinically prioritised. With the current model, pandemics will go on for longer and more people will die. Global health security is at risk.