Funding for sustainable flu vaccinations

Geelong researchers will benefit from funding from the federal government to help with sustainable production of flu vaccinations.

The CSIRO has been working with Synbiova out of Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus to reduce the waste created in making flu vaccinations.

Presently, the production of flu vaccinations requires the use of more than 1.5 billion chicken eggs annually. This creates tonnes of flu-infected waste.

Synbiova received about $2.4 million to create egg substrates that can produce vastly more vaccines than before, subsequently reducing the number of eggs required to produce flu vaccinations.

Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson said in addition to the project’s medical and environmental benefits, it would also help the local economy.

“This highly innovative project will be aimed at national and international sale and continue to put Geelong on the map as a centre of scientific innovation and medial expertise.

“This funding will help accelerate the project and ensure we can continue to grow the local economy at such a critical time post-COVID.”

The project was one of 10 to share in $25 million funding as part of the ninth round of the federal government’s Co-operative Research Centres Projects programs.

Federal Minister for industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews similarly noted the timeliness of the grants.

“Now more than ever it is vital businesses and researchers work together to collaborate on outcomes which will generate opportunities and jobs as the nation continues its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The grants will also unlock a further $58 million from project partners by in-kind contributions.