Victoria to develop mRNA COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing capacity in Australia

The Victorian government is providing $50 million to “kick-start” domestic manufacturing of mRNA vaccine technology.

It will take at least 12 months for any mRNA vaccines to be made in Australia, acting Premier James Merlino said as he made the announcement.

The move paves the way for mRNA vaccines to be produced in Australia for the first time.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use the mRNA technology, which had never been used for inoculations before the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will be a collaborative project with Monash University and Melbourne University, along with the Doherty Institute and other research centres.

When it is established, it will be the first mRNA production facility in the southern hemisphere. No location for the facility…