The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved emergency use of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine Friday, giving the country hardest hit by the pandemic two shots for inoculations against the virus.
The approval is the first in the world for Moderna’s vaccine, which is similar to the two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech shot that was given the green light in the U.S. and several other countries last week.
“With the availability of two vaccines now for the prevention of COVID-19, the FDA has taken another crucial step in the fight against this global pandemic that is causing vast numbers of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States each day,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn in a statement.
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted his congratulations shortly after the approval was announced. Earlier Friday, he said distribution of the Moderna vaccine would start “immediately” once approved.
The Moderna vaccine is seen as easier to ship to remote and rural communities compared to Pfizer’s vaccine, which needs to be stored at extremely low temperatures that require specially-made freezers.
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Until now, it was believed the vaccine had to remain frozen to at least -20 C until shortly before use, but the company said Friday it can now safely transport liquid doses as refrigerated at between 2 C and 8 C.
Health Canada’s review team is still waiting for final data on Moderna’s manufacturing process before making its own decision on emergency approval.
Canada’s territories, Indigenous communities and long-term care homes are awaiting approval of the Moderna vaccine due to its easier shipping and storage capabilities.
None of the initial shipment of 30,000 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses have been sent to distribution centres in Canada’s territories due to the difficulty in transporting that vaccine.
More to come…
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