Washington, Dec 18(UNI) A panel of experts in the United States on Thursday voted to recommend the emergency approval of a second coronavirus vaccine.
A BBC reports said that authorities could start administering the Moderna vaccine across the US as early as next week after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gives the go ahead for it to be used.
The advisory panel on Thursday voted 20-0 with one abstention that the benefits of the Moderna vaccine outweigh the risks for those aged 18 and over.
The same committee had last week backed the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, leading to its authorisation for emergency use.
The vote came after regulators reported earlier this week that the Moderna vaccine was safe and 94% effective.
The US has agreed to purchase 200m doses, and 6m could be ready to ship as soon as the vaccine gets FDA approval.
The US has recorded the most number of COVID-19 cases and deaths than any other country.
Earlier this week, its coronavirus death toll passed 300,000.
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