Good morning, early birds. The Australian government has struck an agreement with the US-based pharmaceutical giant Moderna to receive 25 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine, and Josh Frydenberg has drawn election battlelines with Labor over his $130 billion phase three tax cuts. It's the news you need to know, with Chris Woods.
A Moderna arrangement A SHOT IN THE ARM
US-based pharmaceutical giant Moderna has revealed overnight that it has struck an agreement with the Morrison government to supply 25 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine. This includes 10 million doses of its two-dose vaccine this year, along with “15 million doses of Moderna’s updated variant booster vaccine candidate to be delivered in 2022”. There are also discussions about manufacturing the drug onshore.
The Sydney Morning Herald explains Moderna’s announcement does not explain when the 10 million doses will arrive, only that the company will submit an application for regulatory approval to the Therapeutic Goods Administration “shortly”.