US clears Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, 2nd shot in arsenal
US clears Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, 2nd shot in arsenal
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On Friday, the United States added a second COVID-19 vaccine to its arsenal, boosting efforts to beat back an outbreak so dire that more than 3,000 deaths a day are regularly recorded by the nation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has approved Modern Coronavirus vaccine for emergency use for people 18 years of age and older.

The move marks Moderna’s first permission for shots in the world. The vaccine is very similar to one from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech from Germany that is now being given to millions of health care workers and residents of nursing homes as the largest vaccination drive in the history of the United States begins to ramp up.

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Early results of large, still unfinished studies show that both vaccines seem safe and strongly protective, although Moderna’s is easier to handle because at ultra-frozen temperatures it does not need to be stored.

Moderna, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNA), a biotechnology company that pioneers messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised the emergency use of mRNA-1273, Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine, in individuals 18 years of age or older, according to an official statement issued by Moderna.

“The Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine is now authorised for distribution and use under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Delivery to the US Government will begin immediately. Moderna will continue to gather additional data and plans to file a Biologics License Application (BLA) with the FDA requesting full licensure in 2021,” the statement further stated.

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Moderna has said that by the end of December 2020, approximately 20 million doses will be delivered to the US government.

In the first quarter of 2021, the Company expects to have between 100 million and 125 million doses available globally, with 85-100 million doses available worldwide.

In the meantime, President Donald Trump said in a tweet, “Congratulations, the Moderna vaccine is now available!”

The US has reported 17,416,108 coronavirus cases and 313,035 deaths so far, according to the latest update from Johns Hopkins University.

California has emerged as one of the deadliest hot spots, with hospitals running out of intensive care beds and ambulances lined up outside emergency rooms in scenes reminiscent of the calamity around New York City last spring. Over 41,000 new cases and 300 more deaths were recorded in California on Friday.

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