Australia faces Q fever vaccine shortage this week due to manufacturing issues
Australian farmers and workers face a temporary vaccine shortage expected to last until the end of December because of unexpected production problems.
Supply runs out now
Australia is set to run out of Q fever vaccines sometime this week. The Department of Health relies on CSL Seqirus for supply. Senior vice-president Chris Larkins verified that a brief temporary stock shortage will occur beginning immediately and continuing until the year concludes. He stated that expedited batches will be available late December.
Manufacturing caused delays
The shortage stems from raw material supply issues and unexpected manufacturing equipment failures on filling lines. Production of each batch requires nine months utilizing an inactivated version of the bacteria. About three or four batches could not be released during this cycle period. Operations will move to two new sites in Melbourne later this year.
Farmers wait for shots
Dairy owner Erika Chesworth has been unable to vaccinate staff since March due to dead ends everywhere. She noted that animals cannot be vaccinated against the disease leaving workers vulnerable. Nurse Carol Mudford waited five years to get a vaccine after starting work in 2020. Last year Australia recorded 991 Q fever cases which is the highest number since monitoring began in 1991.
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