18 Dec
An expert panel at the US Food and Drug Administration has endorsed emergency use of a coronavirus vaccine developed by US pharmaceutical firm Moderna.
The panel of outside experts met on Thursday to assess the data submitted by the FDA and Moderna concerning the vaccine's efficacy and effects on human health.
Panel members decided in a majority vote that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh its risks in people aged 18 and older.
The FDA has been screening Moderna's product since the firm filed for permission for emergency use in November.
Following the panel's decision, the FDA is expected to swiftly authorize use of the vaccine.
If approved, the Moderna shot will be the second vaccine allowed for emergency use in the United States, following the one developed by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech.
A US government official in charge of its vaccine supply program has predicted that 5.9 million doses of the Moderna vaccine will be shipped early next week and a total of 20 million doses will be supplied before the end of this month.
NHK
