Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Passed by FDA Advisory Panel for Emergency Use

A nurse prepares a shot of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna, in Binghamton, N.Y., on July 27, 2020. Hans Pennink/AP Photo

A panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted on Thursday to endorse for emergency use a COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna and the National Institutes of Health.

The advisers voted 20-0 with one abstention, in agreement that the benefits of the vaccine outweighed its risks in people aged 18 and older. The vote came after seven hours of debate over technical details of the company’s study and follow-up plans.