Washington: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel has endorsed the emergency use of Moderna Inc`s coronavirus vaccine, assuring of a second option against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The panel overwhelmingly voted in favour of the use of the vaccine with 20-0 votes and one abstention.
The committee voted that the benefits of the Moderna vaccine outweigh its risks in people aged 18 years and older.
The FDA is expected to grant the emergency use authorisation by late Thursday or Friday, giving hope to the coranavirus-hit nation even as record numbers of patients threaten to overwhelm US hospitals and healthcare workers.
The United States in August entered a $1.5 billion pact with Moderna to acquire 100 million doses of its vaccine.
Unlike Pfizer, Moderna`s vaccine does not require specialized ultra-cold freezers or vast quantities of dry ice, making it easier to supply rural and remote areas.