Trial mRNA vaccine administered

Sheep in NSW have been administered with a trial dose of an mRNA vaccine for border diseases.

SHEEP have been given a trial dose of an mRNA vaccine for Border Disease.

The vaccination is considered a step forward in developing a guard against vaccines for Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease.

The trial is taking place at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute in NSW.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said it was great to see progress made as we approach the goal of August 2023 for mRNA vaccines for Foot and Mouth (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease.

“While our first and most important mission is to keep these diseases out, in the event the worst happens, we want to be able to arm producers with an mRNA vaccine that could mean returning to freedom status and restoring market access much sooner,” he said.

“Once we test the efficacy of this trial shot for Border Disease, we will be able to quickly adapt the production of the mRNA vaccine to target FMD and Lumpy Skin, which is incredibly valuable in our preparedness against a potential incursion.”

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the virus that causes Border Disease, Pestivirus, has been selected as the target for the trial due to its relevance to FMD and Lumpy Skin.

“We have invested $229 million in biosecurity measures this financial year alone – the largest investment of a single jurisdiction in Australia.”

The NSW Government recently partnered with US biotech company, Tiba Biotech, to develop the vaccine.

Meanwhile, the Australian Government has continued to work with Indonesian authorities to help vaccinate an estimated 17million cattle and 10 million pigs.