US FDA approves Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use

The United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given authorisation to the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use across the US. The vaccine made by the American biotechnology company Moderna and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) thus became the second vaccine to be granted approval in US after Pfizer vaccine.

The vaccine from now on will be distributed across the country through authorised distributors as directed by the US government. However this vaccine proven to be 94 per cent effective against the virus can only be given to individuals aged 18 years and above.

The authorisation comes after the FDA advisory panel of independent experts determined that the vaccine clears the statutory criteria for issuance of emergency use which thereby assures the public and medical community of its safety and effectiveness.

With the approval, FDA has taken another big step in its fight against the global pandemic, said Stephen Hahn, the FDA Commissioner.

Moderna vaccine which is made using mRNA technology is administered as a series of two doses, one month apart. The vaccine holds certain advantages over Pfizer which was authorised last week.

Unlike Pfizer, Moderna does not require to be preserved in an ultra cold (70 C) temperature which makes it easier for transportation to rural areas. The data of Moderna also shows it protects the people from severe Covid-19 virus when it doesn't prevent the disease.

However the authorisation of a second vaccine does not assure an immediate go back to normalcy.

There are still a number of hurdles on the way to be tackled like the hesitancy of people to get vaccinated due to the misinformation they have been fed with for months, the monumental task of scaling up manufacturing and distribution for all etc.