Plan for NSW to manufacture mRNA COVID vaccines

A state government plan would see some of the most effective coronavirus vaccines that produce the fewest side-effects manufactured in NSW.

Some of the most effective COVID-19 vaccines that produce the fewest side-effects could be manufactured in NSW under a plan launched by the state government.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Tuesday announced she had tasked the state’s Chief Scientist to develop a plan to make NSW capable of manufacturing mRNA vaccines like the Pfizer COVID jab.

It could take up to two years to build the equipment needed to create the advanced vaccines and therapies.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Health Minister Brad Hazard. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Robinson

“This is about having an eye on the medium to long term, this is about developing an entire industry of manufacturing these type of pharmaceuticals,” Ms Berejiklian said.

She said the government is enabling the process, but “in the main it’ll be industry that will come in and back this”.

Chief Scientist Hugh ­Durrant-Whyte did not say on Tuesday how much it could cost to build the mRNA ­capacity.

Unlike traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines teach cells how to make protein that triggers an immune response, which provides protection from the real virus.

The technology could also have other applications for ­advanced therapies for ill­nesses such as cancer.

Pfizer has the higher efficacy of the two vaccines in use in Australia at 95 per cent protection against COVID-19 and 100 per cent protection against severe disease.

There are global supply shortages and Australia has no capacity to produce it.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said creating mRNA capacity in NSW would be a way of “future-proofing” the state. “I think it’s important that we keep the breadth of the capability on the table,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Berejiklian defended the NSW government’s vaccine strategy, after Victoria delivered almost 7000 doses on Monday — compared with almost 4000 jabs in NSW.

Ms Berejiklian stressed the importance of GPs delivering COVID vaccines, after announcing state vaccine clinics won’t offer AstraZeneca doses to anyone over 50 who wants the jab until May 24.

NSW Health is already ­selecting some over-50s in phase 2A of the rollout to ­receive an AstraZeneca jab immediately.