The Australian and Victorian state government has inked a $2 billion (US$1.4 billion) deal with U.S. pharmaceutical giant, Moderna, to build a new facility that will be capable of producing 100 million mRNA vaccine doses per year. The Morrison government announced the deal on Dec. 14, as part of its strategy to shore up the country’s sovereign capability—against global supply chain issues—and for Australia to become a key vaccine supply hub for the region. The second closest vaccine manufacturing facility of scale is in Singapore. “The new mRNA manufacturing facility in Victoria will produce respiratory vaccines for potential future pandemics and seasonal health issues such as the common flu, protecting lives and livelihoods,” the prime minister said in a statement. The facility is expected to be ready by 2024 and will produce 25 million vaccines per year with the capacity to scale up to 100 million vaccines. It is expected …