Australia making ‘excellent progress’ on manufacturing Pfizer and Moderna

Australia is making ‘excellent progress’ on a game-changing approach to Covid-19 vaccines.

Australia is reportedly making “excellent progress” on manufacturing the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines on home soil, as mRNA jabs look to become an option for children under 12.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the federal government was working with a range of biotechnology partners to get Australian-made mRNA vaccines up and running.

“We are making excellent progress on bringing mRNA vaccine manufacturing to Australia,” he said.

“mRNA vaccine production in Australia is our goal and intention and that is exactly what were doing at the moment.”

Australia is reportedly making excellent progress’ on manufacturing mRNA vaccines domestically. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Sunday’s announcement comes as research into the safety of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Modern) for children gains pace in Australia.

Mr Hunt said the federal government was working towards presenting clinical trial data on the use of mRNA in children to Australia’s medical regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

“We are aware that Pfizer has already commenced a registration process in the US and I have written to and spoken with the Australian head of Pfizer to encourage them,” he said.

“We have also been dealing with Moderna. At this stage they have not progressed beyond clinical trials.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the federal government was working towards presenting clinical trial data on the use of mRNA in children to the TGA. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

If mRNA vaccines are deemed safe for children, Australia should have plenty of jabs next year to inoculate the under 12 population.

Sixty million doses of Pfizer and 50 million doses of Moderna are set arrive on Aussie shores in 2022.

This is on top of the supplies that domestic manufacturing of the mRNA vaccine now looks set to contribute.

The additional doses are likely to also be used as booster shots for Aussies over 16 who are already fully vaccinated.

Mr Hunt said further information about Australian-made mRNA jabs would be announced soon.

“We are working on a number of fronts but we're making progress and I am confident that we will be in a position to say more in the coming months about this if not earlier,” he said.