Outside experts of U.S. FDA endorse Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine

미 FDA 자문위, 모더나백신 사용 권고…두번째 백신접종 초읽기Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine is one step away from distribution in the U.S. as outside experts endorsed the use of the vaccine.This will be the second vaccine to be rolled out in the country, which is the hardest hit by the pandemic.Our Kim Do-yeon has the details.Outside experts of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration endorsed Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday... paving the way for distribution.Following the announcement, the FDA is expected to give emergency use authorization as soon as late Thursday or early Friday, local time.The panel voted 20 to 0, an overwhelming decision to say it's safe for recipients aged 18 or older.The head of the panel showed his excitement over the successful results of the study."And congratulations to us all for achieving this emergency use authorization for a second vaccine which along with other events will eventually and sooner will break the back of the pandemic."Once the FDA gives final approval for emergency use, the related officials will start distribution.Unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine, which rolled out earlier this week, Moderna's vaccine is easier to store and distribute.Moderna says its vaccine "remains stable at -20 degrees Celsius for up to six months, at refrigerated conditions for up to 30 days and at room temperature for up to 12 hours."The vaccine is also known to have a similar effectiveness as Pfizer's at around 95 percent.With Pfizer's and Moderna's both being rolled out, U.S. officials expect 40 million people will get their 1st dose of the vaccines by the end of the year.The first wave of recipients will be front-line healthcare workers and residents of nursing homes.Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.