Aussie vaccine researchers rush to include Omicron in jab development

While it is not yet known what impact the variant will have on vaccine efficacy, having a local production option for mRNA products could help Australia protect its citizens and its neighbours quickly.

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“What it [that capability] does is allow us to respond quickly to get our needs met without being reliant with international markets,” he said.

Local manufacturing capacity could also help protect neighbouring nations if new variants were to emerge.

“If our populous neighbours to the north aren’t vaccinated, then we aren’t vaccinated either, effectively,” Professor Carroll said.

Biotech businesses are still waiting on news from the government on the results of its approach to market process, which it launched earlier this year asking for pitches for onshore mRNA production.

The emergence of Omicron has prompted new restrictions on travellers, particularly from nations where the variant has been noted. The new strain has caused concern because of the large number of mutations seen, with 30 variations in the spike protein, which could have an impact on whether vaccinated individuals contract it.

However, Professor Pouton said more research needed to be done before vaccine makers would work out the impact of Omicron on existing vaccines.

“What the governments are doing, making sure to really looking carefully at those [travellers] coming in from South Africa [where the variant has been noted], is the right thing to do,” he said.