Health Minister Supports Having ‘As Many COVID Vaccines on the Market as Possible’

Australian Health Minister Mark Butler has revealed Australia wants to see as many COVID-19 vaccines on the market as possible. The minister expressed this goal under questioning from “Teal” Independent MP Monique Ryan about vaccine access and medicine shortages. Dr.

Ryan was concerned about her constituents not being able to access the Novavax and Shingrix vaccines, along with other medicines they “need and deserve.” This comes after Novavax pulled its application for Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) registration in Australia recently. Mr.

Butler noted the Novavax original vaccine was finally approved and made available a couple of years ago in Australia. Mr. Butler added the Omicron version of the vaccine has been considered by TGA for registration in Australia over some time.

“I’m advised a few weeks ago Novavax decided to withdraw that application for registration. I encouraged Novavax to continue working with the TGA,” he said. “We would like to see as many COVID vaccines on the market as possible but, ultimately, that is a matter for the company.

” With regard to the Shingrix vaccine for the prevention of shingles, Mr. Butler said Australia has the most comprehensive shingles vaccine program in the world. “The take up by older Australians was phenomenal and about 40 percent higher than we projected using the usual forecasting models.

As a result, we negotiated the supply of an additional 750,000 doses of the Shingrix vaccine, which has already b.