Australia to test ‘back-up’ COVID-19 vaccines that can be modified to fight viral mutations

Researchers behind a clinical trial of two COVID-19 vaccines in Australia say they will be able to modify vaccinations if mutations in the virus occur.

Almost $ 1.6 million from the federal government has been allocated to the Melbourne-based trial, with hopes it will begin around the middle of this year.

Plans to roll out small quantities of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine in Australia in March are still in place, ahead of domestic production of larger quantities of AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines.

However, Australia cannot rely on the effectiveness of foreign vaccines and needs a “backup,” according to lead researcher Terry Nolan of the Doherty Institute at the University of Melbourne.

Professor Nolan said the two vaccines tested – an mRNA-based vaccine and a recombinant protein vaccine – were more targeted and could be quickly changed if a viral mutation occurs.

The test will be carried out on approximately 150 volunteers aged 18 to 75 years.

A new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is believed to be causing increased transmission of the disease in parts of the UK. It has now been detected in other countries.

“This new variant appears to be much more heritable,” said Professor Nolan.

“Fortunately, it doesn’t appear to be a problem with vaccines yet.

“[But] if a variation occurs… the vaccines may not work as well and therefore it will be necessary to be able to readjust the vaccines without completely rebuilding them so that you can adapt to them if there are mutations. “

Professor Nolan said it was vital that Australia have its own vaccine.

“We know that just recently the very promising candidate from the University of Queensland, the molecular clamp vaccine with CSL support, did not proceed with development due to a technical issue unrelated to the ‘efficacy of the vaccine,’ he said. .

“It is very important that we have Australian vaccine manufacturing capability as security against global supply issues for international developers.

Vaccines show ‘encouraging results’ in early tests

Health and Elderly Care Minister Greg Hunt said the government is preparing for every scenario.

“We don’t know whether or not more vaccinations will be needed after this year, but we do know that we will be prepared for any eventuality,” Mr Hunt said.

Mr Hunt said the vaccines offered a number of potential benefits to “first generation” COVID-19 vaccines.

The Pfizer vaccine must be stored below -70 degrees Celsius, making distribution a huge logistical challenge for governments around the world – what Mr Hunt said would not be the case for ‘next generation inoculations. »Tested.

“Following the encouraging results of preclinical testing, government support is accelerating the process of shifting research efforts from the laboratory to human trials,” he said.

Professor Nolan said the vaccines tested have the potential to be exported overseas, especially if the virus turns more into a seasonal infection than a pandemic infection.

“In the long term, it is very possible that continued vaccination is necessary, as well as vaccines that are changed over time,” he said.

“If we are able to produce a new generation product of high quality [attract] an international market for our own vaccine so of course… there will be other countries that want to have access to it. “