Australia to trial ‘backup’ COVID-19 vaccines that can be modified to fight virus mutations

The volunteer selection process is being accelerated to conduct the vaccine trial in the middle of this year.

Information about the trial of two new Covid-19 vaccines, developed by scientists at the University of Melbourne, was announced today by Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt (January 3).

Australia to trial 'backup' COVID-19 vaccines that can be modified to fight virus mutations
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt today announced that the country is preparing to test two new Covid-19 vaccines. Photo: 9News.

In a speech to the media, the Australian Health Minister said the new generation vaccine will be tested in mid-2021 on about 150 volunteers aged 18 to 75. Professor Terry Nolan, Research Team Leader vaccine, from the Doherty Institute of the University of Melbourne, said the two vaccines tested included an mRNA vaccine and a protein recombinant vaccine. Both vaccines were developed to better suppress the virus and can be quickly corrected if the virus mutates.

To date, the Australian government has funded more than 10 million AUD for six research projects related to Covid-19 disease, including a project to develop vaccines that do not need to be stored at super-cold temperatures: 1 emergency testing project 2 new generation vaccines, 2 neurological and respiratory rehabilitation projects for patients, 1 project uses ultraviolet rays to reduce infection rates in aged care facilities and a project provides 3D printed masks that match the shape of the face to prevent viral infection.

Also according to information provided by Health Minister Greg Hunt, Australia has completed a contract to buy more than 40 million doses of Novavax vaccine if the pharmaceutical company’s experimental product proves effective and safe. It is expected that Novavax’s vaccine will be available to Australians in the first half of 2021. Under the plan, Australia will start to vaccinate Covid-19 to the entire population starting from next March and the vaccine will be purchased from pharmaceutical companies. Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Novavax.

According to Australian scientists, the country cannot rely solely on foreign vaccines to fight Covid-19, but needs to develop its own vaccine.

Sourcekenh14

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