According to Professor Sarah Gilbert, co-creator of the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine, the next pandemic can be even more deadly, the Guardian reports.
"This will not be the last time a virus threatens our lives and our livelihoods. The truth is, the next one could be worse. It could be more contagious, or more lethal, or both," Gilbert mentioned.
She said more funding was needed to better prepare for the global pandemic and not lose existing gains.
Gilbert also noted that vaccines against a new strain of the coronavirus, Omicron, may be less effective.
"There are spike proteins in this variant already known mutations that increase virus transmission. Additional changes may mean that antibodies induced by infection with vaccines or other variants may be less effective in preventing Omicron infection. Until we know more, we have to be careful and take steps to stop the spread of this new option," said the professor.
