This morning The Aus news: Health Minister ‘optimistic’ over...

This morning The Aus news: Health Minister ‘optimistic’ over 2021 vaccine

It looks like CSL is marked by the gov to produce vaccine when available by the end of this year. Below quote including CSL:

"A total of 168 candidate vaccines are being worked on around the world, according to a WHO overview published last week, with the leading candidate for an Australian deal developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

Mr Hunt said Australia was making very significant progress in negotiating access to multiple potential vaccines and would ideally manufacture any potential candidate onshore through domestic vaccine manufacturer CSL.

“We are very fortunately placed due to years and years of preparation, with regards to having the national reserves facility which CSL operates,” Mr Hunt said. “That means it has a capacity through its vaccine secures based in Melbourne to produce vaccines, under contract from around the world.”

Mr Hunt called this resource an “exceptionally important national asset” as it would mean every Australian has access to a vaccine if one becomes available.

“We are well placed in our negotiations and for the first time, I feel cautiously but genuinely optimistic about the prospect of a vaccine.”