The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched a three-year strategy to tackle new and re-emerging threats and to protect health security.

The new strategy sets out UKHSA’s vision and goals for the next 3 years to prepare for and respond to health threats and build the capabilities and technologies to protect the country in the future.

The strategy includes six strategic priorities: be ready to respond to all hazards to health; improve health outcomes through vaccines; reduce the impact of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance; protect health from threats in the environment; and develop UKHSA as a high-performing agency.

Dame Jenny Harries, chief executive of UKHSA, said: "The dangers that emerging and re-emerging pathogens, environmental threats, and extreme climate pose to health should not be underestimated. It is absolutely vital that the UK’s public health protection infrastructure and scientific expertise are equal to the challenge.

"Through this strategic plan, UKHSA will continue to work across government, academia, and the private and voluntary sectors to keep the public safe and ensure that the UK is in the best possible position to respond to the hazards that we will face in coming years."