The VBRPAC of US FDA finds the Moderna COVID 19 vaccine highly effective
This may lead to US FDA for the vaccine by Friday.
The mRNA1273 vaccine is 94.5% effective.
The Moderna vaccine can be stored at -20 degrees C.
Once thawed, the ten dose vials can be kept for 30 days at 2 to 8 degrees.
Unopened, they can be key for 12 hours between 8 to 25 degrees. But once opened and after the first 0.5ml injection is used, it must be kept only for 6 hours between 8-25 degrees.
Two highlights:
1. Efficacy after the first dose was 80.2%.
2. The vaccine is supposed to cut even the asymptomatic transmission by 63% (14 vs 38) after the first injection. This may reduces transmission.
Cautions:
The side effects are common, but mild. Pain at the injection site, headache and Fatigue are the most common.
Rare side effects: The vaccine arm reported three cases of Bell’s palsy(as against one in Placebo), Lymphadenopathy, facial swelling, persistent nausea and vomiting in a single individual. One patient developed rheumatoid arthritis and it is not known whether it is related or not. Hypersensitivity was reported but no cases of anaphylactic reaction was seen.
