US begins rolling out the first batches of Moderna coronavirus vaccine
- On Saturday, the first doses were being moved from the manufacturing centre to warehouses in preparation for shipping on Sunday
- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced late on Friday that it had granted emergency approval for the vaccine
The first of millions of doses of Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine were being prepared on Saturday for shipping to locations across the United States, a top official said, hours after it was authorised for use in the hardest-hit country in the world.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced late on Friday that it had granted emergency approval for the vaccine, a week after it did the same with the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.
“Distribution of the Moderna vaccine has already begun,” said General Gus Perna, who is overseeing the massive logistical operation as part of the government’s Operation Warp Speed.
On Saturday, the first doses were being moved from the manufacturing centre in Bloomington, Indiana, to warehouses operated by logistics firm McKesson in preparation for shipping on Sunday.
“Boxes are being packed and loaded today. Trucks will begin rolling out tomorrow from FedEx and UPS,” the general said at a press briefing.
Pfizer’s vaccine must be stored at -70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees Fahrenheit), a temperature much lower than standard freezers and which forced the company to develop special containers for transport.