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Victorian scientists have created Australia's first mRNA vaccine, which could be adjusted to fight off aggressive new COVID-19 variants.
The new vaccine was created in Melbourne within five months by Monash University researchers, pharmaceutical manufacturer IDT Australia and the Doherty Institute.
It is now subject to clinical trials and regulatory approvals.
Australia's first mRNA vaccine was created by Monash University (pictured) researchers, pharmaceutical manufacturer IDT Australia and the Doherty Institute
About 450 doses have been produced at the Boronia site, enabling 150 people to take part in phase one trials from January, with results expected later in 2022.
Innovation Minister Jaala Pulford said it was a 'significant milestone' and the first time Australia had developed an mRNA vaccine of any kind.
'Australia has manufactured for trial our first COVID-19 mNRA vaccine, this is also Australia's first mRNA product that has been manufactured,' she told reporters on Tuesday.
The vaccine exposes patients to a fraction of the virus compared to other Covid vaccinations and can be quickly restructured to fight variants as they appear in the future (stock image)
'We are the only place in this country that has the capacity in pharmaceutical