Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Not Ready Until Spring 2021

Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said the company’s COVID-19 vaccine won’t be available for widespread distribution until Spring 2021, most likely late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter.

In addition, the company will not pursue an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for the vaccine before at least Nov. 25, when it expects to have enough supporting data to show the agency.  Previously, Moderna had projected it could seek an emergency authorization as soon as Nov. 1, just ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election.

Moderna’s messenger RNA-based vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273, is currently in phase 3 testing in the U.S. to evaluate its efficacy vs. a placebo in 30,000 participants.