Australia Drops Domestic Vaccines Due To Phase 1 Tests Producing False HIV Results

Photo illustration (CDC / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Australian government canceled its intention to develop a domestically-made vaccine after the clinical trial results of a vaccine made by the University of Queensland missed a lot. Moreover, those involved in Phase I testing were not immune but produced false HIV results.

Launching CNA, Friday, December 11, the authorities that canceled the vaccine development plan chose to focus on buying vaccines that have passed clinical trials. These steps include increasing orders for alternatives from world vaccine producers, such as AstraZeneca and Novavax.

"The University of Queensland vaccine will not be able to proceed on scientific advice, and it will no longer be part of Australia's vaccine plan," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Previously, a domestically made vaccine still in phase I trials used small amounts of the HIV protein as a "molecular clamp." However, according to Health Minister Greg Hunt it triggers an antibody response that could interfere with HIV screening.

Even though the vaccine has proven promising in suppressing COVID-19 and there is no possibility of HIV transmission, Secretary of the Health Department Brendan Murphy remains concerned. This is because the results of the phase I trial can damage public confidence in vaccination.

"It will probably work very well as a vaccine, but we can't have a problem with confidence," Murphy said.

Meanwhile, Professor Paul Young of the University of Queensland insisted that the HIV protein used in the vaccine was completely harmless. The vaccine, Paul said, would pose no health risk to those who took part in the trials.

So far Australia 28 thousand have confirmed 39,432 cases of COVID-19 transmission. Among them, there were 908 cases died.