Drug maker Moderna announced today that it will request an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, and the company's CEO hinted that distribution of the vaccine could begin by Christmas.In a press release, company officials said that the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), which will make the final decision on authorization, will likely meet on Dec 17 to review safety and efficacy data on mRNA-1273—Moderna's messenger-RNA–based vaccine.
If an EUA is granted, doses will be shipped out shortly thereafter, the company said.Moderna also said it will submit an application for conditional marketing authorization from the European