Australia seeks domestic capability to produce mRNA vaccines

On May 21, 2021

Australia seek domestic capability from pharmaceutical firms to produce mRNA vaccines.

Prime Minister, Scott Morrison said, as Canberra seeks to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to future pandemics.

The government announced earlier this month, it was in talks with Moderna to establish mRNA vaccine production and Canberra said, other companies had two months to submit their own proposals.

“We have called for those proposals to come forward and to find out exactly what is needed from those proponents to see these facilities and capabilities being established here in Australia,” Morrison said.

“It will be done as a partnership between industry and government.”

Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc use mRNA technology in their COVID-19 vaccines, which Australia will use to vaccinate people younger than 50 after Canberra restricted the use of a AstraZeneca vaccine due to blood clot concerns.

Though Australia has fared much better than many other developed nations in containing the pandemic, with just under 30,000 cases and 910 deaths, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has missed its initial dosage targets.

The national immunisation drive has gathered pace recently with around a third of the 3.3 million doses administered given in the last three weeks.

While industry observers note it will take years to fully establish domestic manufacturing facilities, lawmakers said it would put Australia at the forefront of cutting edge technology.

Kamila/Reuters