Sharjah24 – Reuters: U.S. drugmaker Moderna Inc will produce millions of mRNA vaccines a year in Australia after agreeing to set up one of its largest manufacturing facilities outside the United States and Europe.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the plant in Victoria state was expected to produce up to 100 million mRNA vaccine doses every year when it begins operations in 2024.
"By advancing with this new partnership, we are building ... our sovereign capability to manufacture these vaccines here in Australia," Morrison told reporters in Melbourne.
Morrison did not specify the financial details of the agreement but Australian media reported the deal could be worth about A$2 billion ($1.43 billion).
Moderna said in October it planned to invest up to $500 million to build a factory in Africa to make up to 500 million doses of mRNA vaccines each year, including its COVID-19 shot. However, the company said it had not begun the process of deciding the country and location.
COVID-19 vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer use mRNA - messenger ribonucleic acid - technology but it can also be used to manufacture vaccines for other respiratory illnesses and seasonal flu.
Australia has inoculated nearly 90% of its population above 16 with two doses and shortened the wait time for a booster shot after the emergence of the Omicron cases.
The country has recorded about 232,700 cases and 2,113 deaths since the pandemic began.
For an optimal experience, please
