In a positive development for the U.S. vaccination campaign, federal regulators have permitted Moderna to distribute vaccine vials that are 50% fuller. This decision comes just a day after a manufacturing mishap resulted in the loss of up to 15 million doses of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.
On Thursday, the FDA approved a plan for each vial of Moderna’s vaccine to contain 15 doses instead of the previous 10. This change is expected to significantly bolster the vaccine supply, enabling Moderna to fulfill its commitment to deliver hundreds of millions of doses in the next few months. The company aims to provide 200 million doses by the end of May and 300 million by the end of July, enough to fully vaccinate around 150 million individuals with the two-dose regimen.
“The recent adjustments will enhance the availability of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, facilitating quicker vaccinations in communities. Ultimately, a more timely vaccine distribution should expedite the end of the pandemic,” stated the FDA in its announcement.
Prior to this official approval, the FDA had hinted at the new 15-dose vials, allowing Moderna to begin production ahead of the announcement. The company anticipates starting shipments of the fuller vials in the coming weeks. Additionally, the FDA has authorized vaccine distributors to extract an 11th dose from the existing 10-dose vials if feasible. While this could reduce waste, a challenge remains: the need for specialized syringes that have been in limited supply. Health officials warn that without these syringes, it may only be possible to extract 13 doses from the new vials.
Despite these hurdles, even securing 13 doses is an improvement over the previous 10. Federal health officials are optimistic that this initiative will accelerate production and distribution in the upcoming months. It also supports President Joe Biden’s commitment to ensure vaccine access for all U.S. adults by May 1, a goal that appeared jeopardized by the recent Johnson & Johnson setback. In response, at least 46 states have announced plans to expand vaccine eligibility to all adults by the target date or sooner.
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In summary, the approval for Moderna to ship fuller vials of vaccine is a significant step in enhancing the vaccine supply in the U.S. This will likely lead to quicker vaccinations and support the goal of widespread vaccine access for adults by early May, all while navigating challenges associated with syringe availability.