Novavax vaccine will be made at Tees Fujifilm despite concerns

The jab, which is being produced at the Fujifilm Diosynth plant in Billingham, near Stockton, had faced big delays after pushing back submissions for approval.

However, it was finally approved for use in the UK on Thursday by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Yet a local MP questioned whether the vaccine will be produced on Teesside at all after "36 hours of total confusion" because Novavax was unable to confirm when or if any of the vaccine would be made at the Fujifilm factory.

Initial supplies of the Novavax vaccine will be imported from the Serum Institute of India, throwing a central element of the Conservatives’ levelling up agenda into doubt.

Stockton North Labour MP Alex Cunningham

Labour MP for Stockton North Alex Cunningham urged clarity after being told by Novavax that “manufacturing has begun at the Fuji Teesside facility” and UK manufacturing sites would soon be included in production.

Yet those comments were cast in doubt yesterday when representatives from Novavax declined to comment on vaccine production on Teesside.

Read more: Teesside-made Novavax Covid vaccine finally approved for UK use

Mr Cunningham said: “The announcement that Novavax was to be made at Fujifilm, Billingham, was done with a huge amount of fanfare that included the Prime Minister traveling to the site for a photo-op. Since that time we’ve had delays in approval and uncertainty for people, which led to my intervention in raising the matter with Novavax themselves.

“Sadly there is now uncertainty about that and Novavax’s refusal to confirm or deny if this will actually be the case only makes matters worse. We were told Billingham would be leading the fight against Coronavirus, and we were told local people would benefit from the jobs created as a result. It is imperative that Novavax – and the Health Secretary – urgently provide some real clarity on this matter.”

But provising a further update on Friday afternoon, Mr Cunningham said he had received reassurances from Novavax that the Teesside facility would be used in production. 

He added: “Following 36 hours of total confusion - including in the media - whether the Novavax vaccine would be produced in Billingham, I sought clarification and have now spoken to a representative of Fujifilm who has confirmed that Novavax has assured them that production will take place at this site.

“I’m pleased this has been cleared up, and done so promptly, and look forward to seeing vaccines produced in Billingham and protecting people as quickly as possible.”

Novavax said it continues to “work closely” with Fujifilm on supply of the vaccine.

Explaining its decision behind the initial production in India, Novavax said: “This is because we harmonised our initial regulatory filings using manufacturing data from SII as the most expeditious path to authorization.

“The CMA will later be supplemented with data from additional manufacturing sites in the Novavax global supply chain. This approach in the UK is consistent with our approach in other markets across the world.

“While we don’t disclose the specifics of our agreements with manufacturers, we can share that we continue to work closely with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies and the VTF on manufacturing and supply of the Novavax vaccine in the UK and FDB continues to be an important partner.”

The factory in Billingham, near Stockton

Fujifilm also suggested its Teesside site still has a role to play in the production of the Novavax vaccine.

Read more: North East trial volunteer says confidence 'lost' in Teesside-made Novavax jab

A spokesperson told The Northern Echo: “FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Novavax and the Vaccines Taskforce continue to work closely together on the manufacturing and supply of the Novavax vaccine in the UK. We have been manufacturing on Teesside since February 2021 – and continue to work hard to support Novavax to advance the manufacturing and supply of Nuvaxovid for patients.

“Everyone at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is delighted that the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has approved the Novavax vaccine. We are all immensely proud to be part of this endeavour.”

And Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen isn’t concerned by the initial vaccine production taking place in India and not Teesside.

He said: “In their email to Alex, Novavax’s have said that manufacturing of their Covid-19 vaccine has already begun at Fujifilm’s state-of-the-art facility in Billingham.

“I’ve also spoken directly to Fujifilm, and they have confirmed that production of the life-saving jab is underway. This jab is yet another weapon in our armory against the deadly coronavirus and we should all be proud of the role Teesside has played in its development and now its production.”     

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