Vaccine production hopes dented

SYDNEY - The Novavax COVID-19 jab won’t be produced in Australia until 50 million AstraZeneca doses have been made, in a blow to Australia vaccine hopes.

Australian drug manufacturer CSL has ruled out making the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine on home soil at least until after it has produced 50 million AstraZeneca doses.

The federal government requested CSL consider its ability to produce the two in Australia in a bid to boost local supply.

But the manufacturer has shot down the speculation, saying it was unable to produce two vaccines involving live viruses at the same time.

It would instead focus on completing production of its committed AstraZeneca doses, the first of which it tipped to be ready in the second quarter of 2021, pending regulatory approval.

“Following completion of the manufacture of 50 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine campaign, CSL would, if requested by the Australian Government, reassess its ability to manufacture other vaccines such as the Novavax vaccine,” it said in a statement.

The Novavax jab is in phase three of its clinical trial, but chief medical officer Paul Kelly has tipped it to form a key part of the global vaccine effort.

The government reached a purchasing agreement with Novavax for 51 million doses of its vaccine yesterday, but how it would be procured remained unclear.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg played down Thursday’s development, saying the government had always worked to ensure Australia had a “portfolio” of vaccine options.

He said the government would consider other options to manufacture Novavax on home soil.

“We’re always exploring, but what we do have is access to safe, effective, available vaccines,” he said on Thursday.

“We’ve adopted a portfolio approach and I think Australia’s in a very good position when it comes to the rollout of those vaccines.”

Although the AstraZeneca and Novavax jabs were both proteinbased vaccines, a decision by CSL to produce the latter was not guaranteed.