Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an emergency use authorization for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine:
“One week after FDA authorized the first COVID-19 vaccine, the nation can celebrate the authorization of a second lifesaving vaccine, produced by a homegrown American company.
“I extend my gratitude to the researchers, scientists, and other professionals at the National Institutes of Health and Moderna for their pioneering innovation and tireless efforts to develop this historic vaccine. I also commend the clinical trial participants for volunteering to make this possible, and the FDA career staff who have been working around the clock to carefully review the data to ensure the vaccine is safe and effective.
“While challenges coordinating the distribution of vaccines and providing clear communication to states and the American people persist, the authorization of a second vaccine will greatly increase our supply and allow us to protect millions of Americans sooner.
“The Energy and Commerce Committee will continue to work with our partners in the Administration, states, and stakeholders to provide additional resources and support. We must ensure that both of these vaccines are quickly, safely, and equitably distributed and that all authorized COVID-19 vaccines are accessible and free of charge for patients."
