Moderna, PM and Victoria strike major Moderna mRNA vaccine deal
Australia has clinched a major vaccine deal that could radically change how the nation responds to Covid and future pandemics.
Almost two years on from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Victoria will soon be home to the region’s largest producer of mRNA vaccines by the middle of the decade.
An in-principle agreement, struck with pharmaceutical giant Moderna, was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday.
The planned factory is expected to produce 25 million doses a year from 2024, with surge capacity of up to 100 million in a future pandemic.
Under the agreement, the factory will be able to produce Covid-19 vaccinations, yearly flu shots, as well as other therapies which can be used in the treatment of cancer, rare diseases, cellular engineering and protein-replacement therapy.
Currently, Australia relies on mRNA vaccines from Europe and the United States.
CSL in Melbourne began domestic production of the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this year.
Speaking from the Doherty Institute in Melbourne on Tuesday, Mr Morrison said mRNA vaccines had proven to be the biggest scientific discovery over the course of this pandemic.
“That means that they are a massive part of the future of vaccines, not just here in this country but all around the world,” he said.
“We set about the task of ensuring that we have the manufacturing capability to do that to keep Australians safe and to protect their health, not just against Covid but against the many other communicable diseases.
“We are building our sovereign capability here, which protects Australia’s national interests.
“That’s an extraordinary achievement by everyone.”
Mr Morrison said the factory was an “investment” considering the likely role mRNA technology would play in healthcare over coming years and how many lives it had already saved from Covid-19.
“This investment will continue to secure Australia’s future economic prosperity while protecting lives by providing access to world-leading mRNA vaccines made on Australian soil,” he said.
“The new mRNA manufacturing facility in Victoria will produce respiratory vaccines for potential future pandemics and seasonal health issues such as the common flu, protecting lives and livelihoods.”
Ecstatic that Moderna will be coming to Australia! So much good work to do with #mRNA for all infectious diseases. We are thrilled to be on that journey with all 🇦🇺 scientists @TheDohertyInst@UniMelb@TheRMH@WEHI_research@BurnetInstitute@MCRI_for_kids@MonashUni@CSIROhttps://t.co/cam30QLbRy
— Sharon Lewin (@ProfSharonLewin) December 14, 2021
The announcement comes days after Moderna’s Covid-19 booster shot was approved for use in Australia, with Health Minister Greg Hunt saying it was clear mRNA was an advancement the country needed to be a part of.
“Melbourne will be a global centre of mRNA research and manufacturing,” Mr Hunt said.
“The fact that we have a regional headquarters and the ability to support our regional partners across the Pacific, and South-East Asia, says that we’re committing to the region over the long term.”
Moderna Australia General Manager Michael Aztrak said the company had played a “crucial role” during the pandemic.
“As we have all learned, pandemics come at a time when we least expect them. Having preparedness is absolutely critical,” he said.
“The facility we’re envisaging will have the capability of at least 100 million doses if need be.”
From 2024, Australia will be given priority access to any vaccines made in the factory, while a significant portion will be sent to Asian and Pacific nations.
Labor has long argued Australia should be producing mRNA vaccines and criticised the government for delays in establishing a manufacturing capability.
The opposition had pledged to make it a priority if it formed government after the next election.
Victoria’s Acting Premier James Merlino said the deal would create 500 jobs during construction, and 500 ongoing jobs in what would prove instrumental in “driving the development of a local mRNA ecosystem that does not currently exist”.
“This is a huge announcement, not just for Victoria, but for the whole country – being able to manufacture mRNA vaccines and treatments locally will lock in vaccine security both on our shores and across our region,” he said.
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