Posted on: Sun 13-12-2020

Australia has become the first country to scrap a coronavirus vaccine project after a shot developed as part of the $750 million plan led trial participants to falsely test positive for HIV.

 

The University of Queensland and the Australian biotech firm CSL had been conducting clinical trials on a prototype vaccine with the backing of the Australian government and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

 

The University of Queensland said the trial vaccine had shown promising signs in combating COVID-19 and that "routine follow up tests confirmed there is no HIV virus present."

 

To compensate for the cancellation, Australia has increased its orders of vaccines developed by AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Novavax, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

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