Coronavirus vaccine: UK rejects Scott Morrison’s false claim

Scott Morrison’s false claim that Britain is not “batch testing” the COVID-19 vaccine has been firmly rejected by Britain’s drug regulator.

Scott Morrison’s false claim that Britain is not “batch testing” the COVID-19 vaccine has been firmly rejected by Britain’s drug regulator amid complaints Australia is now at the back of the queue.

The Prime Minister claimed this week that Labor’s calls to fast-track the rollout were “very dangerous” and he added that Britain was rolling out the vaccine without testing batches because of the rush to stop the “mutant” virus tearing through London.

“They’re not testing batches of vaccines before they’re disseminated across the publication, is my understanding,” he told 3AW.

“We don’t have to cut corners. We don’t have to take unnecessary risks.”

But Britain’s top drug regulator, UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) firmly rejected that claim today.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison claimed Britain is not ‘batch testing’ the COVID-19 vaccine. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

A man in York, England receives his COVID-19 vaccination. Picture: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

“Biological medicines such as vaccines are very complex in nature and independent testing, as done by the National Institute For Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), is vital to ensure quality and safety,” it said.

“NIBSC has scaled up its capacity to ensure that multiple batches can be tested simultaneously, and that this can be done as quickly as possible, without compromising quality and safety.”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese slammed Scott Morrison over the mistake, accusing the PM of finding excuses for his failure to roll out the vaccine faster.

“Scott Morrison changes his story every day, but the one thing that doesn’t change is that we are still at the back of the vaccine queue,” Mr Albanese said.

“He is so obsessed with politics, spin and marketing that he is prepared to mislead the Australian people.”

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Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese slammed the PM over the mistake. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Mr Morrison has repeatedly warned this week that ‘batch testing’ is a crucial step after the vaccine is approved but before it can be offered to the public.

Batch testing is designed to ensure the ‘batches’ provided by the drug company are safe by testing them on a group of patients for adverse reactions and side effects.

Australia could approve the first vaccine within weeks, but the rollout is not likely to commence until early March because batch testing.

Health Minister Greg Hunt warned Mr Albanese’s views were ill informed today, insisting the Morrison Government was taking advice from the experts on the speed of the rollout.

Mr Albanese also insisted Labor has never suggested that the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s safety processes should be skipped.

But he has questioned why the vaccine cannot be provided to the public as soon as the TGA approves it.

“No one has suggested Australia’s TGA processes should not be followed,” he said.

“Facts matter. But they don’t matter to Scott Morrison.”