The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[DC3]

So, the importation of more AstraZenica is a no-go at this stage. Those doses would have been very useful here.

Edit: I hope that scomo is working the phones to fix this issue.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If they had to set up an entire new facility (despite fact CSL already make similar vaccines on shore, as AZ is older technology) the question remains why we didnt also opt for a facility that could do newer vaccine types?

Firstly it is not an if, they had to build a purpose built facility.

They always wanted access to more than one type vaccine. They have a good supply line with Pfizer and opted to have the AZ made in Australia. A third vaccine that was also to be made in Australia, but it was decided that it was not viable, was abandoned. Other vaccines beyond those three were looked at, and are still being looked at.

The CSL facility can be adapted to make the mRNA. However, it cannot make both the AZ and mRNA at once. With the Pfizer deal we have spread the risk, and spread the options.

There are considerations in place to possibly begin mRNA production on Australia.

However money is not in unlimited supply. So is what has been done reasonable? Personally I think so. Remember too that there is not rampant, or even low transmission in Australia and so apart from protecting a small portion of our population now there is no urgent need. We simply were/are not even remotely in the same position as in the UK.

Remember too that the planning and construction of this facility was all commenced well before it was known if the AZ vaccine would work or not. Ditto for the Pfizer vaccine. We could have built an mRNA facility and if the vaccine was shown not to be viable like the Qld one, it would just be standing idle now.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Maybe this article will assist in understanding the complications and timelines for this specific vaccine production.

How CSL plans to make a million COVID-19 vaccines a week

When millions of Australians roll up their sleeve to get a locally made vaccine, the shot itself may only take a couple of seconds, but it will have been three months in the making. This is how it's done.

www.abc.net.au

 

[RooFlyer]

Whilst tga approval takes time, there was no real reason we shouldnt have planned to start making az doses the same time that the UK did.

Sure, write a letter to the board of CSL, that independent, listed ASX company telling them what a rotten job they’ve done.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

 

[mviy]

So, the importation of more AstraZenica is a no-go at this stage.

Most of the AZ doses for Australia are being made here in Australia so this is just a temporary setback

 

[Lynda2475]

Remember too that the planning and construction of this facility was all commenced well before it was known if the AZ vaccine would work or not. Ditto for the Pfizer vaccine. We could have built an mRNA facility and if the vaccine was shown not to be viable like the Qld one, it would just be standing idle now.

I disagree with this statement. Mrna capability has much wider applications than just covid, we will see other vaccines using this technology going forward. Australia can benefit by being a supplier of vaccines beyond Covid.

I dont see why you are against competition and splitting risk across technologies and geography.

Commonwealth has largely sponsored CSL but that should not prevent them nor the states incentivising private companies to invest and create onshore capabilities to compete with CSL especially if those facilities can offer different types of vaccines. It creates jobs ( the high tech ones we need) and secures supply for Australia and the region.

Sure, write a letter to the board of CSL, that independent, listed ASX company telling them what a rotten job they’ve done

Thats not what i said, but approval was likely, there seems to be a longer than necessary lag now to get local AZ happening. They missed an opportunity to be more ready and earn a return earlier. I wonder what impact all the Melbourne lockdowns had on progress?

 

[DC3]

Most of the AZ doses for Australia are being made here in Australia so this is just a temporary setback

More than just a week or three I’d say. Anyway, our leaders don’t seem to be bothered.

 

[Pushka]

So, the importation of more AstraZenica is a no-go at this stage. Those doses would have been very useful here.

Edit: I hope that scomo is working the phones to fix this issue.

Just from Italy. Other countries produce it.

 

[DC3]

Just from Italy. Other countries produce it.

Oh good. So all’s well for Oz I hope. A few million on order I recall.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Oh good. So all’s well for Oz I hope. A few million on order I recall.

Australia might as well sell the doses held hostage to Italy for a profit......too soon?!?!

 

[oz_mark]

Australia really ought to have had locally made AZ ready on the day the TGA approved it for use. CsL had pretty much guaranteed sales, should have started making and storing them back in Dec, given formula was already in use overseas by then.

Also why there ought to be a grant to get a local manufacturing facility for newer MRNA vaccines here in Aus, to ensure supply for us and our pacific neighbours. Some local competition would be a good thing for employment too.

CSL began manufacture in November. They have started bottling.

 

[Pushka]

Local AZ is being released March 22nd.

 

[DC3]

Local AZ is being released March 22nd.

Murray Bridge?

 

[mviy]

More than just a week or three I’d say. Anyway, our leaders don’t seem to be bothered.

There's a big shipment of the Astra Zeneca vaccine that has already arrived in Australia. That's not going to get all used overnight. Also, at this stage it's only one shipment that has been blocked. Hence the Health Minister Greg Hunt's comment that "This shipment was not factored into our distribution plan for coming weeks".

 

[RooFlyer]

Oh good. So all’s well for Oz I hope. A few million on order I recall.

50 million, I think

 

[RooFlyer]

Tas Premier's update on Vaccination program here.

Week 2, another tray of 195 vials received last Sunday, and got 100% dispensed in 4 days with 6 does/vial except for 2, total 1,168; good value . A stand-by list is used if any appointments are missed. Another tray expected this Sunday.

Sec of Health said they had 5 'dry runs' of receiving vaccine and all the procedures of getting it into people's arms.

6,720 doses of AZ expected in Tasmania 'soon'; Italy nonsense no effect. Something I didn't realise - this also comes in multi-dose vials, this time 8 doses/vial.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I dont see why you are against competition and splitting risk across technologies and geography.

That is probably because I am quite clearly against neither and I am puzzled why you state that I am.

Let us recap where the Federal Government is at with respect to Covid 19 vaccines.

• Has split risk by backing multiple vaccines and in particular 3 initially. The Qld one which is not viable was dropped. It has added more as time has gone on.
  • (Some are still subject to approval). Currently it has agreements for 4 the supply of different vaccine sources
    • Pfizer
    • AZ - Made Overseas and in Australia
    • Novavax - Made several locations across Europe.
    • and Covax (see below)
• Geographically the Federal Government has also spread risk. ie AZ in Melb. AZ from overseas. Pfizer from overseas. Novavax from overseas.

Covax
Potential COVAX Facility vaccines The following 9 vaccine candidates are in various clinical trial stages and, if found successful, will be included in the COVAX Facility.

Developer	Type	Status
AstraZeneca / University of Oxford	Viral vector vaccine	Phase 3 clinical trials
Novavax	Protein subunit vaccine	Phase 3 clinical trials
Moderna	mRNA based vaccine	Phase 3 clinical trials
CureVac	mRNA based vaccine	Phase 2 clinical trials
Sanofi / GSK	Protein subunit vaccine	Phase 1/2 clinical trials
Inovio	DNA based vaccine Ph	Phase 1/2 clinical trials
Clover Biopharmaceuticals / GSK / Dynavax	Protein subunit vaccine	Phase 1 clinical trials
Institut Pasteur / Merck / Themis	Viral vector vaccine	Phase 1 clinical trials
University of Hong Kong	Viral vector vaccine	Preclinical

See more: Australia’s vaccine agreements


Now any one (or rather any large multinational!) is free to approach the Federal Goverment to supply vaccines. However the number of organisations that can do so are limited, and moreso here in Australia. It requires great expertise, experience and a very large cashflow even if one can secure a government contract in advance.

Remember that a company cannot just start manufacturing a Covid 19 Vaccine. It either has to obtain a licence to do so, or develop its own at huge front end cost. Such companies will also want a ongoing business, and so unless they have related products they are unlikely to enter such a specialised market.

CSL was an obvious candidate and has done so. CSL has also already indicated that they may also produce mRNA.


Having many vaccine choices is good for apart from the risk aspects, ultimately some will be better for different cohorts.

Commonwealth has largely sponsored CSL but that should not prevent them nor the states incentivising private companies to invest and create onshore capabilities to compete with CSL especially if those facilities can offer different types of vaccines. It creates jobs ( the high tech ones we need) and secures supply for Australia and the region.

Every company in the world that is capable of such an enterprise would have already approached multiple governments including the Australian Federal Government long ago.

This is not a simple pipeline that can be turned on or off, and few very companies would have the capability of doing so.
Companies also need a long term horizon to enter or be in such an industry. Vaccine manufacturer is not some that you just enter into for a short period.
.

 

[RooFlyer]

The EU and its constituent countries frequently come up with 'holier than thou' pronouncements and policies. I shall remember their vaccine nationalism next time they try that on.

Given Australia is not in an emergency situation, and in fact it seems like the blocked shipment was not even in the roll-out schedule, I wonder if the Italian government simply asked Australia if they wouldn't mind forgoing the shipment because of the situation in Italy, whether we would have generously said yes (knowing that it could be blocked anyway). But no, the Italians just did a smash and grab.

 

[Pushka]

So there is a graph that even I posted some time ago that compares the vaccination rate per person as opposed to outright doses administered. I have searched and searched and can't find it now. Does anyone know which I'm talking about?

Interestingly the Dr who received the first AZ dose (in Australia) doesnt seem to be front line in risk areas but has an auto immune disease. Psoriatic arthritis. The issue of the vaccines with people with auto immune diseases is a hot topic in SA, dont know about interstate, mainly because everyone on treatment for systemic autoimmune diseases is on DMARDs which try to reduce the impact of the immune system, leaving people immunocompromised. Hence such people are next in line to receive the vaccination. Which is where I fit.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

So there is a graph that even I posted some time ago that compares the vaccination rate per person as opposed to outright doses administered. I have searched and searched and can't find it now. Does anyone know which I'm talking about?

I have not seen it, but in Australia no one has had their second dose yet. So in Australia they will be same graph till about day 21/22.

So being some time I assume that was an overseas graph.

UK will be different to other countries as they decided to delay the second jab so that more people and in particular the elderly, gained some protection.

But eventually 2 doses per person. Though some doses will be wasted.