The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new, lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna. This vaccine, mNexspike, will be available to adults 65 and older, as well as those aged 12 to 64 with at least one health condition that puts them at increased risk of severe disease. The approval marks a shift in the US approach to COVID-19 vaccination, following skepticism from some Health officials.
Moderna’s CEO, Stephane Bancel, stated that this vaccine “adds an important new tool” for protecting high-risk individuals. The FDA’s decision was based on a study of 11,400 participants, which found the new vaccine to be safe and at least as effective as Moderna’s existing vaccine.
The approval comes after the Trump administration canceled funding for Moderna to develop a flu vaccine despite promising early results. Moderna plans to offer both options this fall.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/covid19-moderna-vaccine-fda-84293ee6799dfbbe4e66dce06022afae