The UK Government published the Pandemic Preparedness Strategy on 25 March 2026. The plan covers all four nations including Northern Ireland. It states another pandemic will occur.

The strategy addresses preparation for outbreaks that spread through respiratory, contact, blood or insect routes. Worst-case models predict up to 50% of the UK population falling ill. Hundreds of thousands of deaths could result without intervention.

Northern Ireland shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland under the Common Travel Area. The plan requires cooperation with Dublin on surveillance, testing, travel measures and public health messaging.

Five core goals guide the strategy. These include whole-system planning for various scenarios, stronger community protection through communication and local networks, rapid access to vaccines and treatments, advanced surveillance with real-time data, and resilient health services that maintain routine care.

The government allocated £1 billion for health protection. Funds support vaccine access, disease surveillance, mass testing, PPE stockpiles, data systems and a planned All Pandemic Hazards Bill.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis called the strategy a major improvement in preparedness based on COVID-19 lessons. Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson stated it enables faster responses to health threats. UK Health Security Agency chief executive Susan Hopkins said it ensures more effective responses.

The strategy responds to the COVID-19 Inquiry Module 2 report. Reforms cover crisis decision-making, scientific advisers and information sharing with devolved governments. It replaces the 2011 pandemic influenza plan and incorporates Exercise Pegasus simulation results.