New facility for developing and testing Covid vaccines opens at Porton Down

The Robinson Building at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) was opened by Health Secretary Sajid Javid and UKHSA CEO Professor Dame Jenny Harries on Thursday February 17.

The two-storey, 22,000sqft building is one of two that make up a new £65million Vaccine Evaluation Centre, built to help develop and licence new vaccines and be a global leader in testing against future variants of the virus.

Pictures: PA 

The project is funded by the Vaccine Taskforce, a joint unit between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Professor Dame Jenny Harries, the CEO of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “These new world-class facilities will help further establish the UKHSA and its Porton Down site as a global leader of vaccine testing and variant research in the fight against COVID-19.

Chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency Dr Jenny Harries walks with Health Secretary Sajid Javid

“The work undertaken at the Vaccine Evaluation Centre will define the UK’s future pandemic response as we help develop the next generation of vaccines to protect against this ever-mutating virus.

“Vaccines are one of the most important weapons we have against Covid-19 and they have prevented countless deaths and hospitalisations through this pandemic. Our teams will use these new facilities to ensure we stay on the front foot in protecting against future threats.”

Research carried out at the facility will include clinical testing to support regulatory licensing of new Covid-19 vaccines, research and data gathering to inform government decisions on future vaccination policies and performing risk assessments on variants of concern.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid added: “Over the course of the pandemic, our country has earned a global reputation as a pioneer in world-class vaccine development and variant research.

“This state-of-the-art facility is one of two that together make up a new £65 million Vaccine Evaluation Centre that will be critical in bolstering the UK’s future pandemic response, helping to keep us safe for years to come.

“It’s thanks to the research carried out at Porton Down and other vital sites across the UK that tens of millions of British people are protected from the virus as we learn to live with COVID-19."

Work on the Robinson Building began in January 2021 under emergency planning powers that permit development without prior planning permission in times of emergency.

Construction work was completed in October 2021.

The UKHSA worked with Wiltshire Council to take forward the development, including a retrospective planning application that was submitted to the council in December.

The building is named after Dr Andy Robinson, a pioneer of vaccinology in the UK and a former colleague of UKHSA scientists. He worked on vaccines for whooping cough and meningitis.

Salisbury MP John Glen, who attended yesterday's opening, said: "I was delighted to visit Porton with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to mark the formal opening of the Robinson Centre.

"Porton Down has been at the centre of our country's response to Covid and local scientists have led the world in the testing expertise they have provided.

"The investment of over £65m in new facilities at UKHSA Porton demonstrates the continued confidence Government has in the role Porton will play into the future."

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