FDA issues EUA for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration on Dec. 18 issued an emergency use authorization for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, making it the second vaccine to be authorized for the prevention of COVID-19.

The news follows FDA’s Dec. 11 emergency use authorization, or EUA, for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA said it has determined that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine has “met the statutory criteria for issuance of an EUA” and the “totality of the available data provides clear evidence that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be effective in preventing COVID-19,” according to the release.

Many dentists may be wondering if they are included in the first wave of vaccinations in their state. The ADA has advocated for dentists and dental team members to be prioritized to receive the vaccine in the first phase and has created a fact sheet for dentists. The Association also has posted a map of the United States with hyperlinks to state and local jurisdictions that contains population vaccination prioritization details, as well as the most current information about where dentists are authorized to administer the vaccine.

The ADA will continue to monitor developments related to COVID-19 vaccine approval and administration on behalf of the profession and public. Visit ADA.org/virus for the latest information.