Rally to stop the Vaccine Manufacturing Centre Sell Off!

The Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC) has been vital to the UK’s lifesaving Covid-19 vaccination programme. It was set up using public money to develop vaccines and protect the UK against pandemics. But the Financial Times has revealed that the government is now putting the centre up for sale. 

Join the rally to stop our public vaccine manufacturer being sold to profit making companies on Monday 21st March 4pm-5pm, outside Oxford Town Hall, St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1BX

Established in 2018, the centre has been at the forefront of vaccine development during the Covid-19 pandemic. Leading vaccine researchers at the University of Oxford say that working with VMIC “accelerated Oxford’s vaccine programme by months” and “saved many lives”.

One of the vital lessons of this pandemic has been the need for a public health sector that is equipped, properly funded: ready to identify and respond to public health crises. Private companies operate with profit as their bottom line, often without the necessary infrastructure, resources, knowledge and expertise to respond effectively and quickly. 

By threatening to sell our public vaccine manufacturing centre to companies like Fujifilm, Lonza, and Oxford BioMedica, the government is making it clear that it refuses to learn this simple lesson.

However, a final decision on the sale has not yet been made, which means you can still stop the sell off if you act now. 

16,000 people have signed our petition against this sale. Councillors in Oxford have now taken notice, with a group of cross-party Oxford City councillors tabling a motion to stop the sale of VMIC. 

Do you agree that scientific innovation is too important for our health and our future to sell off to the highest bidder? Come to the rally outside Oxford Town Hall to tell the City Council to pass this motion and take a stand against the government's plans!

Hear from speakers representing We Own It, Oxford City Council and Keep Our NHS Public, and make some noise!

Join the rally against the VMIC sell off on Monday, March 21st 4pm-5pm, outside Oxford Town Hall, St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1BX

Not based in Oxfordshire? Click here to sign and share the petition today!