Australians might quickly have entry to a brand new vaccine concentrating on a generally detected COVID-19 variant.
Nevertheless, the federal government has advised {that a} related vaccine made by a distinct firm will not be publicly obtainable, leaving some consultants involved about reliance on a single producer.
Final month, have been accepted for analysis by the Therapeutic Items Administration (TGA), which approves medical merchandise in Australia.
The 2 vaccines are Spikevax from Moderna and Comirnaty from Pfizer.
When SBS Information requested the Division of Well being whether or not each vaccines could be obtainable in 2024-25, its response advised solely the Pfizer vaccine could be obtainable.
“The division intends to make up to date Pfizer JN.1 COVID-19 vaccines obtainable to eligible people as quickly as attainable following regulatory approval,” a division spokesperson stated.
A division spokesperson stated Moderna had glad all its supply necessities and its final batch of Australian vaccine inventory was depleted on 12 July.
“The Commonwealth has enough provides of other COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers for 2024,” the spokesperson stated.
Why goal JN.1?
Whereas preliminary vaccines focused the unique pressure of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — subsequent updates have been adjusted to guard individuals in opposition to Omicron variants BA.1, BA.4/5 and XBB.1.5.
Earlier this 12 months, one other Omicron variant, JN.1, unfold quickly throughout Australia,
As of 25 August, it was the nation’s most incessantly detected variant, based on the well being division.
Subsequent mutations of JN.1, often known as FLiRT and FLuQE, have additionally emerged, with consultants now additionally monitoring
The tailored Pfizer and Moderna JN.1 vaccines have been permitted by the UK’s regulator in July and this month, respectively.
In the meantime, the US Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) gave in August its tick of approval to up to date vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna concentrating on the KP.2 variant (FLiRT), which carefully resembles JN.1.
The FDA has additionally authorised the emergency use of an up to date model of a vaccine made by a 3rd firm, Novavax, which targets the JN.1 pressure.
What can we learn about vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna?
Earlier than any COVID-19 vaccine is permitted to be used in Australia, it should undergo the TGA’s impartial assessment course of, the place it is examined in opposition to excessive security, efficacy and high quality requirements.
Moderna and Pfizer produce mRNA COVID-19 vaccines which will be developed extra shortly than protein-based variations made by firms together with Novavax.
Infectious illness skilled Paul Griffin stated that, whereas there are not any “head-to-head” research for the up to date vaccines, they’re primarily based on related know-how.
“There are some refined variations, however none that may be substantial sufficient to make any claims that one is type of higher or worse than the opposite,” stated Griffin, a doctor and medical microbiologist on the College of Queensland.
Professor Adrian Esterman, chair of biostatistics and epidemiology on the College of South Australia, stated there are a number of advantages to having quite a lot of vaccines obtainable.
These advantages embody the vary of particular person responses to totally different vaccines and public perceptions of selection.
“Despite the fact that the 2 vaccines are very related, they may have refined variations relying on people involved,” he stated.
“People may want to decide on, and being informed you’ve got solely obtained one may put some individuals off.”
Nevertheless, his primary concern is provide. He stated selecting a “restricted vary of vaccines” was a mistake made earlier within the pandemic.
“My large concern in the meanwhile is that they (the federal government) are going to run into precisely the identical type of issues in the event that they depend on a single producer,” he stated.
Whereas Griffin acknowledged the federal government and TGA would have a number of components to contemplate, he additionally has reservations about returning to a single provider.
“I might personally suppose having a lot of choices to guarantee that we each have ample provide and that we do every part we will to make sure individuals have a vaccine they’re comfy with could be preferrred to strive and ensure we now have as many individuals vaccinated as attainable,” he stated.
When may the brand new vaccines be permitted?
The division stated TGA approval usually takes 45 working days, with each Pfizer and Trendy’s purposes accepted in early August.
However that does not imply they will instantly be obtainable to the general public. Australia’s Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has to find out dosage pointers earlier than any new vaccines are rolled out.
The division anticipates Pfizer JN.1 vaccines can be obtainable in 2024-25, topic to approvals. It stated all obtainable COVID-19 vaccines proceed to offer sturdy safety.
“Pfizer’s monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine is on the market to be used in eligible individuals six months and older,” the spokesperson stated.
Many earlier COVID-19 vaccines have been ‘bivalent’, which means they have been designed to focus on a number of variants of the virus, however many consultants now see ‘monovalent’ vaccines as offering improved safety as a result of earlier COVID-19 variants are much less generally encountered.
Each the World Well being Group and the European Medicines Company advisable in April that vaccines concentrating on JN.1 must be monovalent.
What about Novavax?
One other up to date COVID-19 vaccine may be coming to Australia, however it might not occur for some time.
Novovax plans to submit its JN.1 vaccine software for TGA approval “in anticipation of the 2025 season”, an organization spokesperson stated.
It comes after the corporate determined to .
The federal government has an settlement with Novavax for the provision of its COVID-19 vaccine.
“The division intends to make an up to date Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, from Biocelect Pty Ltd, obtainable to eligible people as quickly as attainable following regulatory approval,” the spokesperson stated.
