Australia strikes huge mRNA vaccine deal

In a deal set to be announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday, the factory will be able to produce 25 million doses a year from 2024, and up to 100 million in a future pandemic. Under the agreement, the factory will be able to produce Covid-19 vaccinations, yearly flu shots, as well as other therapies which can be used in the treatment of cancer, rare diseases, cellular engineering and protein-replacement therapy. Currently, Australia relies on mRNA vaccines from Europe and the United States.From 2024, Australia will be given priority access to any vaccines made in the factory, while a significant portion will be sent to Asian and Pacific nations. Industry Minister Angus Taylor said it would be the only mRNA manufacturing plant in the region, aside from Singapore.Mr Taylor said it would give Australia an opportunity to work with neighbouring countries.“This gives us a capability which gives us enormous potential to deal with future pandemics, and also flu vaccines and potentially other vaccines as well,” he told Sunrise. “It is very flexible technology, leading-edge, and Australia will be at the forefront in dealing with this disease, and will put us in a position where we are a manufacturer of our own vaccines.”Mr Morrison said the factory was an “investment” considering the likely role mRNA technology would play in healthcare over coming years and how many lives it had already saved from Covid-19. “This investment will continue to secure Australia’s future economic prosperity while protecting lives by providing access to world-leading mRNA vaccines made on Australian soil,” he said.“The new mRNA manufacturing facility in Victoria will produce respiratory vaccines for potential future pandemics and seasonal health issues such as the common flu, protecting lives and livelihoods.”The announcement comes days after Moderna’s Covid-19 booster shot was approved for use in Australia, with Health Minister Greg Hunt saying it was clear mRNA was an advancement the country needed to be a part of. “Ensuring Moderna has a manufacturing presence here will deliver Australia priority access to products manufactured here in Australia, by Australians, for Australians, using the most cutting edge vaccination science available in the world today,” Mr Hunt said.Victoria’s Acting Premier James Merlino said the deal would create 500 jobs during construction, and 500 ongoing jobs in what would prove instrumental in “driving the development of a local mRNA ecosystem that does not currently exist”. “This is a huge announcement, not just for Victoria, but for the whole country – being able to manufacture mRNA vaccines and treatments locally will lock in vaccine security both on our shores and across our region,” he said.

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December 14, 2021 at 01:28AM
In a deal set to be announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday, the factory will be able to produce 25 million doses a year from 2024, and up to 100 million in a future pandemic. Under the agreement, the factory will be able to produce Covid-19 vaccinations, yearly flu shots, as well as other therapies which can be used in the treatment of cancer, rare diseases, cellular engineering and protein-replacement therapy. Currently, Australia relies on mRNA vaccines from Europe and the United States.From 2024, Australia will be given priority access to any vaccines made in the factory, while a significant portion will be sent to Asian and Pacific nations. Industry Minister Angus Taylor said it would be the only mRNA manufacturing plant in the region, aside from Singapore.Mr Taylor said it would give Australia an opportunity to work with neighbouring countries.“This gives us a capability which gives us enormous potential to deal with future pandemics, and also flu vaccines and potentially other vaccines as well,” he told Sunrise. “It is very flexible technology, leading-edge, and Australia will be at the forefront in dealing with this disease, and will put us in a position where we are a manufacturer of our own vaccines.”Mr Morrison said the factory was an “investment” considering the likely role mRNA technology would play in healthcare over coming years and how many lives it had already saved from Covid-19. “This investment will continue to secure Australia’s future economic prosperity while protecting lives by providing access to world-leading mRNA vaccines made on Australian soil,” he said.“The new mRNA manufacturing facility in Victoria will produce respiratory vaccines for potential future pandemics and seasonal health issues such as the common flu, protecting lives and livelihoods.”The announcement comes days after Moderna’s Covid-19 booster shot was approved for use in Australia, with Health Minister Greg Hunt saying it was clear mRNA was an advancement the country needed to be a part of. “Ensuring Moderna has a manufacturing presence here will deliver Australia priority access to products manufactured here in Australia, by Australians, for Australians, using the most cutting edge vaccination science available in the world today,” Mr Hunt said.Victoria’s Acting Premier James Merlino said the deal would create 500 jobs during construction, and 500 ongoing jobs in what would prove instrumental in “driving the development of a local mRNA ecosystem that does not currently exist”. “This is a huge announcement, not just for Victoria, but for the whole country – being able to manufacture mRNA vaccines and treatments locally will lock in vaccine security both on our shores and across our region,” he said.