Russell Group response to Covid-19 vaccine breakthrough

23 November 2020

In response to the announcement by the University of Oxford and its partner AstraZeneca that its Covid-19 vaccine candidate is effective and offers a high level of protection, Stephanie Smith, Head of Policy (Research and International) at the Russell Group, said:

“The Covid-19 vaccine testing results announced by the University of Oxford and its partner AstraZeneca are a testament to the quality and innovation of the Oxford team and the UK’s wider science community. 

“It also underlines the value of long-term, sustainable investment in research and the benefits of the quality-related funding model used in Britain – and envied around the world – which allows research intensive universities to ​be able to put in place the right infrastructure and be able to respond at pace to emerging issues like vaccine development​. 

“The Government has recognised this with its R&D roadmap and commitment to increase funding to the sector and we urge them to continue with this bold ambition to put research and innovation, and its proven record of delivering for the economy, at the heart of our recovery from this crisis.”

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