Welcome to the Vaccine Development Process Maps
Background
These process maps were developed by the UK Vaccine Network, to show key stages in both human vaccine development and veterinary vaccine development up to Phase III clinical trials or veterinary field trials. The UK Vaccine Network is supporting vaccine research and development against some of the world's deadliest outbreak infectious diseases. These process maps are intended to support Network members in understanding key stages in human, veterinary and rapid vaccine development and where bottlenecks could potentially delay progress.
Vaccine Development Maps
The Human and Veterinary Vaccine Development Maps on this site both illustrate the typical process steps necessary to develop and licence a new vaccine. These would typically take ten to fifteen years in the case of human vaccines and three to six years in the case of veterinary vaccines.
However, during the COVID-19 pandemic vaccines were developed and licenced for use within less than one year. This remarkable achievement was largely the result of pre-existing knowledge from research funding programmes, the use of platform delivery technologies and active collaboration between all those involved, especially the researchers and the regulators.
The UK Vaccine Network has chosen to illustrate this accomplishment by creating a new 'Rapid Human Vaccine Development' page.
Vaccine development “bottlenecks”
The Network has given careful consideration to the definition of bottlenecks associated with vaccine R&D, and whilst many stages could be flagged as "bottlenecks" by broader definition that they are rate-limiting steps, we have chosen to specifically identify those processes and stages which:
- reduce the capacity and speed of the whole chain due to limited/sub-optimal capacity or capability within current systems, but
- which could potentially be rectified or improved through the efforts of the UK community (including academia, industry, and national actors)
Case studies further highlight where these bottlenecks in vaccine development can occur in the response to an outbreak.
Decision making in an emergency response
The UK Vaccine Network has also produced a summary of key points to guide decision making in the context of an emergency response to an epidemic or pandemic. More information is available from ‘Decision Guide’.
The 100 Days Mission
The first 100 days when faced with a pandemic or epidemic threat are crucial.
The ambition of the global 100DM is that vaccines should be ready for initial authorisation and manufacturing at scale within 100 days of recognition of a pandemic pathogen, when appropriate. Coupled with improved surveillance, and swift use of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions, a vaccine developed in 100 days could defuse the threat of a new pathogen with pandemic potential.
The UK is supportive of the global public-private 100 Days Mission which the UK's G7 presidency initiated and has established a scientifically supported strategy unit in UKHSA to coordinate work and momentum. Success in the Mission depends on genuine collaboration and commitment across all partners to continue the momentum and ambition of the 100DM. The UK’s vision is for the Mission to be a sustained endeavour with partners working together to drive forward progress.
Further resources
Please see further resources relevant to the development of vaccines for diseases of epidemic and pandemic potential.
International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat
Epidemic Preparedness Innovations web space
Please note, the UK Vaccine Network bears no responsibility for the content of external websites.
Last updated August 2024.