U.S. FDA to release guidance on COVID-19 vaccine approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to release guidance on Tuesday outlining its conditions for approving a vaccine for the coronavirus, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a summary of the guidance.

The agency would require drugmakers to show “clearly demonstrated” proof of a vaccine’s safety and effectiveness through a clinical study, and at least 50% more effectiveness than a placebo, the report here said.

There is currently no U.S.-approved treatment or vaccine for the respiratory illness that has claimed over 126,100 lives in the country, according to a Reuters tally.

More than 100 vaccines are being tested worldwide against the virus, with only a handful in the human testing phase, including candidates from AstraZeneca Plc and Moderna Inc.

Experts have suggested that it could take a minimum of 12 to 18 months to guarantee a safe and effective vaccine through clinical trials.

The guidance is expected to be discussed by FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn in an appearance before a Senate committee on Tuesday, the report said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-fda/u-s-fda-to-release-guidance-on-covid-19-vaccine-approval-wsj-idUSKBN2411XM