# Discovery and surveillance Source: https://www.keypedia.com/records/uk_mhra_guidance/uk-mhra/aacd6b93-9f76-4c21-8d80-08245fff12b2 Type: Detailed Guide Published: May 19, 2024 Updated: July 16, 2024 > The Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC), a division of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), provides specialized scientific expertise and regulated facilities to advance the development and assessment of vaccines and therapeutics. VDEC supports a broad range of stakeholders, including industry, academia, and government, by focusing on pathogen classification, disease mechanisms, and national surveillance. The center utilizes multidisciplinary teams in serology, immunology, and pathology to assist in both pre-clinical and clinical evaluation phases. Notable contributions include serological surveillance for the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid assay development for outbreaks such as Mpox and H5N1, and support for tuberculosis vaccine development through non-human primate studies. Although this document serves as an overview of capabilities rather than a regulatory inspection report—and thus does not list specific violations or inspection dates—it highlights VDEC's commitment to operating within a regulated framework to maintain standardized procedures. By fostering collaboration and developing flexible reactive protocols, VDEC strengthens global preparedness for future health emergencies. Organizations are encouraged to contact UKHSA to utilize these diagnostic and evaluative services for vaccine innovation. --- ## Content Vaccine assays and immune response The Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre ( VDEC ) facilitates the development and evaluation of new vaccines and therapeutics. The Vaccine Assay and Immune Response team within VDEC provides world class scientific expertise and regulated facilities to enable the classification of diseases, pathogens and their mechanisms of action. They also provide continued national surveillance after the release of vaccines. Their expertise encompasses serology, pathogen immunology and advanced immunology, pathology and histology. These functions all support and provide scientific expertise across the various stages of pre-clinical and clinical evaluation in the evolution of vaccine and therapeutic development. Work with VDEC We work with industry, academia and government. Contact UKHSA today to see how we can help you. Get in touch What the teams do Serological surveillance support. For example, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the serology group played a critical role in the provision of antibody testing for healthcare workers and others through the different waves. Ongoing support to the NHS is provided by involvement in the Siren study SIREN study - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) We also have the ability to develop and deploy assays to other emerging infectious agents and threats. For example, we responded to the recent Lassa and H5N1 outbreaks and have the capability to provide ongoing surveillance to outbreaks. The Advanced Immunology Group work to support late-stage vaccine development in areas such as tuberculosis by working with the pre-clinical teams to enable non-human primate ( NHP ) challenge studies. Access to multiple veterinary pathologists and a team of histologists who can analyse in vivo tissue samples to support the pre-clinical evaluation team. VDEC discovery and surveillance case studies Working towards a maternal vaccine for Group B Streptococcus VDEC rapidly develops an immunoassay for Mpox during the 2022 global outbreak How we work with partners We develop standardised assays for various companies and non-governmental organisations ( NGOs ), allowing a wide range of expertise across numerous diseases and pathogens. This provides the framework for flexible reactive procedures to be put in place ahead of the next pandemic. We have collaborators across industry, academia, the NHS and the wider healthcare family.