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Moderna to Seek Quick Approval of Coronavirus Vaccine in US, Europe

Ken Bredemeier

   WASHINGTON - Drugmaker Moderna said Monday it is seeking emergency
   authorization in the United States and Europe to distribute its
   coronavirus vaccine after tests showed it is 94% effective.

   The U.S. biotechnology company's request could mean that health workers
   will be able to inoculate patients against the virus as soon as
   mid-December with either of two coronavirus preventatives -- Moderna's
   or another equally successful test drug produced by the corporate
   tandem of Pfizer-BioNTech -- if the companies win approval from drug
   regulators.

   Moderna said it conducted a 30,000-person clinical trial, and its
   results were on a par with the best pediatric vaccines.

   The drugmaker said that of the 196 volunteers who contracted COVID-19,
   185 had received a placebo versus 11 who received the vaccine. Moderna
   reported 30 severe cases -- all in the placebo group -- including one
   COVID-19-related death.

   The Moderna and Pfizer requests for emergency use of their vaccines
   come as the number of coronavirus cases is surging in the U.S., where
   tens of thousands of new cases are being recorded daily.

   Health officials say they are especially worried about an even further
   spread of the virus because millions of people ignored warnings against
   traveling for last week's Thanksgiving holiday and could travel again
   over the upcoming Christmas and New Year's holiday weekends.

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