Immunisation is one of the most cost-effective ways to save lives, improve health and ensure long-term prosperity. In the UK, the NHS immunisation programme greatly reduces disease, disability and death, and has led to dramatic falls in the number of cases of serious infectious diseases that were once commonplace.

Vaccination protects us at all stages of life and getting vaccinated helps protect you and those around you from infectious diseases like the flu. It could also help you stay healthy if you have a long-term health condition.

Dr Bryan Deane talks us through how the process of researching and developing a new medicine gets started.

When vaccination rates fall, outbreaks can occur with potentially serious consequences.

There are still significant unmet health needs in the UK and globally that vaccines research is trying to address, with over 260 vaccines in research and development for many different conditions such as malaria, Ebola and norovirus as well as avoidable conditions that impact the UK such as MRSA and C Difficile.

There is also potential to develop vaccines for diseases like cancer and asthma, and vaccines also play an important role in combatting anti-microbial resistance.

Investment in innovative vaccines needs to continue in order to maintain the quality of health protection we enjoy in the UK. There are still inequalities associated with the uptake of vaccines and we need to address any potential barriers so that Britain makes the most of its world-class vaccination programme.