Australia’s top scientific organization has urged for more funding for viral research and vaccine production in an effort to protect the nation against pandemics in the future.
Following up on the lessons learned during COVID-19, the health department released a fresh report with 20 suggestions for what Australia could do to improve pandemic preparation.
Enhancing research on the five virus families with the highest potential to cause pandemics in the future was one of the suggestions.
Australia’s top scientific organization has urged for more funding for viral research and vaccine production in an effort to protect the nation against pandemics in the future.
In order to be better prepared, scientists have highlighted a need to diversify the vaccines produced in Australia.
The paper said that “Australia’s capacity to develop vaccines onshore for an emerging viral threat lowers due to the lack of manufacturing capabilities across multiple vaccine technologies.”
‘Barriers, such as high input costs and a limited population for clinical trial enrolments, are faced by Australian firms.’
The CSIRO research also recommended building a central database of therapies and expanding the search for commercially viable therapeutic antiviral drugs that may be used as treatments.
Following consultations with more than 140 professionals from business, academia, and government, the report’s recommendations were developed.
Due to the increasing demands placed on laboratories during pandemics, the report’s results also revealed discrepancies with diagnostic standards that needed to be addressed.
It was also noted that there was a lack of national coordination for genetic analysis, and recommendations were made to establish a national authority and create national data standards.
Viruses of highest concern to trigger next pandemics
In a new report, the CSIRO outlined 20 recommendations for what Australia would need to do to strengthen pandemic preparedness
This limits the ability to make timely and informed policy choices, particularly during pandemics.
Given the surge in viral illness epidemics over the previous century, the CSIRO said that the report’s conclusions were crucial.
According to the paper, “on average, two new viruses develop in people each year, and the fraction that cause bigger outbreaks is increasing.”
Environmental degradation, climate change, urbanization, human encroachment on natural habitats, and greater international commerce and travel are the main causes of the rising incidence of viral spill-over from animal populations during the last 100 years.
The study was published after Australia’s total COVID cases topped 10 million.
Additional 8704 cases were reported nationwide on Monday, including 11 fatalities.
The national cabinet will examine a plan to reduce the required length of COVID-19 isolation from seven to five days on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Health Services Union demanded that the federal government completely abolish the required time of isolation.