Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to be manufactured in Australia

The Andrews government will kick start Australia’s mission to develop mRNA vaccines domestically with a $50M investment.

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, receives his first COVID-19 vaccination. Picture: Getty Images

The Victorian government will invest $50m to develop new manufacturing capabilities for COVID vaccines, while the state’s Chief Health Officer rolled up his sleeve to open three mass vaccin­ation hubs.

Acting Premier James Merlino said the outlay would deliver on a national priority to kick-start the development of onshore capacity to manufacture messenger RNA — or mRNA — vaccines, including the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 jabs.

“We have seen the challenges of global supply. We know the benefits of onshore manufacturing and we know the benefits of this technology,” he said.

It came after rare cases of blood clotting linked with the ­AstraZeneca vaccine forced the federal government to cease administration of the viral vector jab to the under 50s. It prompted the government to secure an extra 20 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which has become the preferred jab for that age bracket.

Mr Merlino said it would take at least 12 months before the new technology could produce COVID-19 vaccines in Australia, with the final cost to be in order of “hundreds of millions of dollars”.

The facility will be developed in partnership with the federal government, Monash University, the University of Melbourne and the Doherty Institute. Mr Merlino said he expected all partners to partially fund the facility.

Scott Morrison said development of mRNA technology would not help get COVID vaccinations into the arms of Australians this year. “No one is going to be in a position to manufacture … mRNA to deal with the needs we have this year. That is not in the discussion,” the Prime Minister said. “A year ago, mRNA vaccines were a ­theory, largely, around the world.”

Mr Morrison said Victoria‘s decision was “great” but stressed it was not done “in the place of the commonwealth”.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said Australia was already on a pathway to “encourage mRNA plants” and flagged CSL could pivot towards producing mRNA vaccines.

The news came as three mass vaccination hubs opened in Melbourne on Wednesday in a bid to speed up the vaccine rollout and boost confidence in the process.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton tweeted he “couldn’t be happier”, after he flashed his tattoos to receive one of the first AstraZeneca vaccines at the Royal Exhibition Building hub. “Caring, professional and efficient approach of everyone at the Royal Exhibition Buildings, especially the St Vincent’s Melbourne staff.”

Health Minister Martin Foley said he expected the number of patients visiting the clinics, also at the Melbourne Convention Centre and former Ford factory in Geelong, to “gradually” pick up, after fewer patients than expected turned up.

On Thursday, national cabinet is expected to sign off on the expediting of vaccinations for Australians aged between 50-69.