(Newser)
– Moderna and the Food and Drug Administration have agreed on a way to get more coronavirus vaccine to its destination, and it seems simple enough: put more in each vial. Filling the bottles closer to the rim will put 40% more on each one, New York Times reports – 14 doses instead of 10. This could be enough to increase the vaccine supply in the USA by 20%. The amount of a dosage is 0.5 milliliters, per Hill. The FDA asked the company to submit data showing that the change will not reduce effectiveness. Work on the production lines to accommodate the move can be completed in late April. “It would be a big step forward,” said Dr. Moncef Slaoui, who was involved in the Trump administration’s vaccine development program. “I think it will have an impact in the short term.”
The company had requested approval for the move last month. This will slow down when the bottles are filled, capped and labeled. The FDA may decide to inspect the production process after any changes. Moderna also wants the life of the vaccine, once the seal is punctured, to be extended. The company said in a statement that it continues to increase production. Moderna said it has provided 41 million doses to the federal government so far, and President Biden said this week that the United States is buying another 100 million doses of Moderna. The actual number of doses per bottle can be unclear: although the CDC says it is 10, the special syringes have already been able to draw 11 doses. (Read more coronavirus vaccine stories.)