FDA advisory panel endorses Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

The  Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Thursday recommended Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine, paving the way for a second COVID-19 vaccine in the United States to be distributed next week.

The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee’s decision, which was adopted 20-0 with one abstention, came exactly a week after the panel voted to recommend Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine for an emergency use authorization.

The agency granted Pfizer’s EUA for its COVID-19 vaccine the next day, and the first inoculations in the United States were given Monday.

The FDA doesn't have to follow the advisory committee’s recommendation, but it often does.

Appearing on Good Morning America Friday, HHS secretary Alex Azar said that the FDA could authorize Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use as early as Friday, and that the vaccine distribution could begin in the ensuing weekend.

The United States plans to ship just under 6 million doses of Moderna’s vaccine next week, pending the FDA’s clearance.