FDA adjusts Moderna vaccine dosage guidance; CDC greenlights travel by vaccinated individuals

The Food and Drug Administration last night said that Moderna can add up to 50% more doses per vial of its COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna had been shipping 10-dose vials; the FDA’s change will enable shipments to contain up to 15 doses per vial. 

In doing so, FDA also will permit vaccinators to extract an eleventh dose from existing 10-dose vials. 

Such a change is contingent on the availability of certain syringes and needles. Read the FDA’s updated provider fact sheet for more details.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today loosened federal guidance on travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that fully vaccinated individuals can resume domestic and international travel. 

CDC recommends these individuals continue to wear masks in public but domestic travelers do not need to get tested for COVID-19 before and after travel, nor do they need to self-quarantine afterwards. International travelers should have a negative COVID-19 test within 3 to 5 days upon return.