Melbourne to get $1.8b vaccine factory
A state-of-the-art vaccine factory in Tullamarine will be able to produce flu vaccines three times faster than now possible, thanks to a huge $1.8 billion deal.
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Australia will be better prepared for future pandemics and flu seasons thanks to a huge vaccine factory that will be built in Melbourne as part of a $1.8 billion deal.
Scott Morrison will on Monday announce the Tullamarine factory will guarantee locally made influenza, virus and antivenom treatments until 2036.
The state-of-the-art factory will be able to produce flu vaccines three times faster than now possible after the Federal Government and pharmaceutical company Seqirus signed a deal.
The Prime Minister said it was an “investment in our national health”.
“Keeping Australians safe is my number one priority and while we are rightly focused on both the health and economic challenges of COVID-19, we must also guard against future threats,” Mr Morrison said.
“This agreement cements Australia’s long-term sovereign medical capabilities, giving us the ability to develop vaccines when we need them.”
Construction is due to begin next year — creating more than 500 construction jobs — and it is expected to be completed in 2026.
Mr Morrison will also use his first trip to Victoria since February to meet Premier Daniel Andrews.
The Herald Sun believes they will discuss the pandemic recovery, international travel and funding of critical infrastructure projects including the airport rail link before the state budget.
The Federal Government will contribute $1 billion over 12 years, and a further $800 million will come from Seqirus’s parent company, CSL.
CSL is contracted to produce both the Oxford-AstraZeneca and University of Queensland COVID-19 vaccine candidates at its existing Parkville factory.
Seqirus is the only company making influenza and Q fever vaccine in Australia, as well as the only company making antivenoms for 11 of Australia’s most deadly creatures including tiger snakes, the box jellyfish and redback spiders.
Seqirus general manager Stephen Marlow said the factory would play an important role in the global supply chain as demand for vaccines grows.
“This investment will boost our capacity to ensure as many people as possible — right across the world — can access flu vaccines in the future,” Mr Marlow said.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the agreement would safeguard Australia against pandemic influenza for the next two decades.
“Our government’s strategy is to protect the health and wellbeing of Australians and the Australian economy, as well as having a world class health system,” Mr Hunt said.
“This is a major milestone, ensuring that Australia can mass-produce vaccines against flu pandemics, as well as continuing onshore production of seasonal flu vaccines, Q fever vaccines and antivenoms.”
The Herald Sun understands the Andrews Government chipped in $30 million for the purchase of the site.
Victorian Industry Support and Recovery Minister Martin Pakula said the deal was a “significant coup” for the state.
“The facility will support hundreds of jobs directly and many more in the supply chain,” he said.
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