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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Karen Middleton Political editor

Moderna’s mRNA vaccines to be exempt from advisory committee scrutiny under $2bn Morrison-era deal

The former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, right, with the Moderna general manager for Australia and New Zealand, Michael Azrak, in December 2021. Moderna’s mRNA vaccines will be exempt from assessment by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, a government memorandum has revealed
The former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, right, with the Moderna general manager for Australia and New Zealand, Michael Azrak, in December 2021. Moderna’s mRNA vaccines will be exempt from assessment by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, a government memorandum has revealed. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP

Australians will be offered respiratory vaccines from next year without the usual assessment that ensures they are the most effective available at the best possible price, under the confidential $2bn onshore manufacturing deal the Morrison government struck with Moderna.

The agreement exempts Moderna’s mRNA vaccines from assessment by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, a government memorandum has revealed.

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