Minister for Medical Research Jaala Pulford told ABC’s RN Breakfast Victoria’s heavy investment into medical research and pharmaceutical manufacturing over the past two decades had ultimately favoured Melbourne over Sydney for the bid.
Victoria’s medical research sector supports about 30,000 jobs and contributes an estimated $21 billion to the state’s economy, according to government figures.
“Melbourne is home to around 60 per cent of medical research that occurs in Australia and around 90 per cent of pharmaceutical manufacturing,” she said.
“So the case that we’ve been putting to the federal government and Moderna and all others is that this is the only place in Australia where we have those capabilities.”
Ms Pulford said the government had identified several suitable sites for the facility, which will also conduct clinical trials and research, but was yet to finalise a decision.
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The federal government could not reveal how much the partnership would cost due to commercial contract negotiations, but it is expected to be worth several billion dollars.
The announcement comes amid uncertainty over the end of mask mandates in Victoria.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced last month a requirement for retail customers to wear masks would be lifted by Thursday unless there was a significant jump in hospitalisations.
However, this public assurance is now under a cloud, with state government officials refusing to comment on whether it will proceed as planned, citing the legal requirements of the new pandemic laws which will replace Victoria’s state of emergency powers from midnight on Wednesday.
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Epidemiologists have warned against scrapping the rule, citing growing Christmas crowds and uncertainty about the severity of the Omicron strain.
Early studies suggest Omicron may be less virulent than previous strains like Delta but more infectious. To date, only one patient infected with the strain, a person from the UK, has died after being diagnosed.
There were 11,051 active COVID-19 cases recorded in Victoria on Tuesday, 364 of them recovering in hospital. Of those, 80 were in intensive care, with 44 on a ventilator. There were also 39 patients in intensive care who have been cleared of the virus.
More than 8433 Victorians were vaccinated against COVID-19 at state-run clinics on Monday, taking the total number of doses administrated at state facilities to almost 5 million, which means 92 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over are now fully immunised against the virus.
Ms Pulford said it was encouraging to see intensive care rates remain stable across Victoria, adding the main source of pressure on the health system were unvaccinated Victorians.
“It’s really important I think for all of us that we keep our vaccine coverage as high as it is now and continue to take it ever higher,” she said.
“Next time you’re buying a coffee or going to do some Christmas shopping check what date you had your second vaccine and if it’s within five months, get booked in for your third because that’s what’s going to be required of everyone.”
With Rachel Clun, Melissa Cunningham and Aisha Dow
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Victoria unveils Moderna vaccine deal as state records 1189 COVID cases
Source: Philippines Alive
