Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons again. Dropping a bombshell, Djokovic revealed in a recent post on Twitter that he was pulling out of the US Open&nbsp;and offered his fans some insight into the decision.&nbsp;

He declared that he will be unable to travel to New York to compete in the tournament due to the strict COVID-19 prevention mandates that the government has issued to curb the spread of the virus.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/unable-to-travel-to-new-york-novak-djokovic-drops-bombshell-pulls-out-of-us-open-510144" hreflang="en">'Unable to travel to New York'- Novak Djokovic drops bombshell, pulls out of US Open</a>

While&nbsp;myriads of fans voiced their anger, blaming the&nbsp;government for taking away people's liberty, a faction hurled a significant amount of hate at Moderna, which is most notably recognized as a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Moderna one of the main sponsors for the US Open were never going to let Djokovic play let alone hand the trophy to an unvaccinated player!! 
 
The levels of corruption &amp; infiltration that tennis has dropped to is absolutely ridiculous!!
— Reggie🐺🐊 (@Reggie61823972) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reggie61823972/status/1562788243678298116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Fans alleged that Moderna has a major role in Djokovic being forced to withdraw from the US Open. It was recently revealed that Moderna had moved to sponsor the US Open in a bid to show fans that they did a lot more than just vaccinate people against the COVID-19 virus.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
With <a href="https://twitter.com/moderna_tx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@moderna_tx</a> on the list of US Open sponsors 2022, is it a surprise that Novak <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Djokovic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Djokovic</a> can’t play? 
 
Is this the reason they didn’t apply for an exemption? (Apart from wanting to help *certain* other players?) 
 
Come on! It’s as clear as day <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoycottUSOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoycottUSOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/jPRxonQCc9">pic.twitter.com/jPRxonQCc9</a>
— Tennis Puneet 🐺 (@TennisPuneet) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisPuneet/status/1562689011411349504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In addition, the company hopes to spread awareness about its mRNA technology. Moderna aims to do so by setting up a booth that will be present throughout the duration of the tournament. With these efforts, the company will hope to encourage people to visit their website to learn more about the virus and how to fight it.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/two-time-wimbledon-winner-petra-kvitova-announces-engagement-to-coach-shares-tweet-510047" hreflang="en">Two-time Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova gets engaged to coach, shares news in tweet</a>

Fans took to Twitter in hordes to point out how an unvaccinated player laying claim to the title of a tournament that is being sponsored by a company whose claim to fame is the COVID-19 vaccine itself may hurt the image of the company.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Just imagine Novak Djokovic, by far the most famous worldwide athlete who’s not COVID vaccinated, holding the US Open trophy with Moderna, who’s only product is a COVID vaccine, as a sponsor in the background. 
 
It’s not rocket science why the USTA didn’t apply for an exemption.
— Jason (@Certinfy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Certinfy/status/1562817907486101505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons again. Dropping a bombshell, Djokovic revealed in a recent post on Twitter that he was pulling out of the US Open and offered his fans some insight into the decision.

Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons again. Dropping a bombshell, Djokovic revealed in a recent post on Twitter that he was pulling out of the US Open and offered his fans some insight into the decision. He declared that he will be unable to travel to New York to compete in the tournament due to the strict COVID-19 prevention mandates that the government has issued to curb the spread of the virus. ALSO READ: 'Unable to travel to New York'- Novak Djokovic drops bombshell, pulls out of US Open While myriads of fans voiced their anger, blaming the government for taking away people's liberty, a faction hurled a significant amount of hate at Moderna, which is most notably recognized as a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer. Moderna one of the main sponsors for the US Open were never going to let Djokovic play let alone hand the trophy to an unvaccinated player!! The levels of corruption & infiltration that tennis has dropped to is absolutely ridiculous!! — Reggie🐺🐊 (@Reggie61823972) August 25, 2022 × Fans alleged that Moderna has a major role in Djokovic being forced to withdraw from the US Open. It was recently revealed that Moderna had moved to sponsor the US Open in a bid to show fans that they did a lot more than just vaccinate people against the COVID-19 virus. With @moderna_tx on the list of US Open sponsors 2022, is it a surprise that Novak #Djokovic can’t play? Is this the reason they didn’t apply for an exemption? (Apart from wanting to help *certain* other players?) Come on! It’s as clear as day #BoycottUSOpen pic.twitter.com/jPRxonQCc9 — Tennis Puneet 🐺 (@TennisPuneet) August 25, 2022 × In addition, the company hopes to spread awareness about its mRNA technology. Moderna aims to do so by setting up a booth that will be present throughout the duration of the tournament. With these efforts, the company will hope to encourage people to visit their website to learn more about the virus and how to fight it. ALSO READ: Two-time Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova gets engaged to coach, shares news in tweet Fans took to Twitter in hordes to point out how an unvaccinated player laying claim to the title of a tournament that is being sponsored by a company whose claim to fame is the COVID-19 vaccine itself may hurt the image of the company. Just imagine Novak Djokovic, by far the most famous worldwide athlete who’s not COVID vaccinated, holding the US Open trophy with Moderna, who’s only product is a COVID vaccine, as a sponsor in the background. It’s not rocket science why the USTA didn’t apply for an exemption. — Jason (@Certinfy) August 25, 2022 ×

Moderna comes under fire after Novak Djokovic withdraws from US Open due to Covid protocol

Japan has put on hold a batch of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after a pharmacist saw what he claims to be black particles in one vial of the vaccine.

According to officials, the pharmacist found the black particles while checking for foreign substances before the vaccine’s use in Kanagawa Prefecture.

It comes less than a week after Japan suspended the use of about 1.63 million Moderna doses due to contamination.

More than 3,000 people had already received shots from the batch. The rest of the batch has now been put on hold.

Local media reports say there has been no evidence so far of any health hazards caused by the potentially contaminated vaccine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-pauses-use-of-moderna-vaccine-batch-over-allergic-reactions-357470">California pauses use of Moderna vaccine batch over allergic reactions</a>

Takeda Pharmaceutical, which sells and distributes the vaccine in Japan, had just last week put three batches of the vaccine on hold after "foreign materials" were found in some doses of a batch of roughly 560,000 vials.

Spanish pharmaceutical firm Rovi, which bottles the vaccine, said in a statement that a manufacturing line in Spain could be the cause of the issue.

It added that it was conducting an investigation.

Japan is battling a surge in Covid cases while it hosts the Paralympic Games.

Local media reports say that Japan’s vaccination roll-out has been relatively slow, with just over 40% of Japanese people fully vaccinated and around 50% having received one dose.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japan has put on hold a batch of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after a pharmacist saw what he claims to be black particles in one vial of the vaccine. According to officials, the pharmacist found the black particles while checking for foreign substances before the vaccine’s use in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Japan has put on hold a batch of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after a pharmacist saw what he claims to be black particles in one vial of the vaccine. According to officials, the pharmacist found the black particles while checking for foreign substances before the vaccine’s use in Kanagawa Prefecture. It comes less than a week after Japan suspended the use of about 1.63 million Moderna doses due to contamination. More than 3,000 people had already received shots from the batch. The rest of the batch has now been put on hold. Local media reports say there has been no evidence so far of any health hazards caused by the potentially contaminated vaccine. Also read | California pauses use of Moderna vaccine batch over allergic reactions Takeda Pharmaceutical, which sells and distributes the vaccine in Japan, had just last week put three batches of the vaccine on hold after "foreign materials" were found in some doses of a batch of roughly 560,000 vials. Spanish pharmaceutical firm Rovi, which bottles the vaccine, said in a statement that a manufacturing line in Spain could be the cause of the issue. It added that it was conducting an investigation. Japan is battling a surge in Covid cases while it hosts the Paralympic Games. Local media reports say that Japan’s vaccination roll-out has been relatively slow, with just over 40% of Japanese people fully vaccinated and around 50% having received one dose. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan finds "black substance" in Moderna vaccine, put holds on shots

The Japanese health ministry has announced that it will stop the use of 1.63 million doses of Moderna's Covid vaccine after reports of contamination in several lots.

Drugmaker Takeda&nbsp;said it had "received reports from several vaccination centres that foreign substances have been found inside unopened vials from specific lots."&nbsp;

Takeda is in charge of sales and distribution of the Moderna shot in Japan.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/world-business-watch-japans-private-sector-activity-hit-by-covid-19-surge-407733/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Upon consultation with the health ministry, we have decided to suspend the use of the vaccine from the lot from August 26," it added.

The firm said it had informed Moderna and "requested an urgent investigation."

Takeda did not detail the nature of the contamination, but said it had not so far received any reports of health concerns arising from affected doses.

The health ministry said it would work with Takeda to secure alternative doses to avoid disruption to the country's vaccine programme, which has ramped up after a slow start.

Around 43 percent of Japan's population is currently fully vaccinated, but the country is battling a record surge of virus cases driven by the more contagious Delta variant.

Around 15,500 people have died from Covid-19 in the country during the pandemic, and large parts of Japan are under virus restrictions.

Japan&nbsp;will expand states of emergency to eight more prefectures from Friday, taking the total to 21 regions from Hokkaido in the north to the southern island of Okinawa and covering nearly 80 per cent&nbsp;of its population.

Hospitals near capacity

Nomura Research Institute executive economist Takahide Kiuchi estimated the latest state-of-emergency expansion would lead to an additional economic loss of about 420 billion yen ($3.8 billion), bringing the total fallout from&nbsp;Japan's fourth round of emergency curbs to 3.84 trillion yen.

That dwarfs the 1.68-trillion-yen boost the economy was expected to see from holding the Olympic and Paralympic Games, he estimated.

The government will decide this week to tap an additional 1.4 trillion yen from reserves for the additional costs of dealing with the pandemic, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said, adding that about 60 per cent&nbsp;of the public will be fully vaccinated by the end of September.

"I've done my utmost to promote coronavirus vaccination," he said.

Still, months of emergency curbs in Tokyo and surrounding areas have failed to reverse a surge in infections and about 90&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of the city's critical care beds are occupied.

The latest state-of-emergency expansion will add Hokkaido, Aichi, Hiroshima and five other prefectures starting from Friday through to September&nbsp;12.

Another four prefectures will be placed under more limited "quasi-emergency" measures, bringing the regions under those curbs to a total of 12 out of&nbsp;Japan's 47 prefectures.

"Maintaining the health system is the top priority to protect the lives of citizens," Suga said.

With hospital beds filled to or nearing capacity, many people have been forced to convalesce at home with some dying before they can get treatment.

Securing oxygen stations and nurses, as well as considering the use of antibody cocktails for outpatients, were among the priorities, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said earlier.

"The working-age demographic is the driving force (behind the rise in infections)," Nishimura said. "We need to halve the movement of people."

He added that infections transmitted by children as new school terms start were another concern.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Japanese health ministry has announced that it will stop the use of 1.63 million doses of Moderna's Covid vaccine after reports of contamination in several lots.

The Japanese health ministry has announced that it will stop the use of 1.63 million doses of Moderna's Covid vaccine after reports of contamination in several lots. Drugmaker Takeda said it had "received reports from several vaccination centres that foreign substances have been found inside unopened vials from specific lots." Takeda is in charge of sales and distribution of the Moderna shot in Japan. "Upon consultation with the health ministry, we have decided to suspend the use of the vaccine from the lot from August 26," it added. The firm said it had informed Moderna and "requested an urgent investigation." Takeda did not detail the nature of the contamination, but said it had not so far received any reports of health concerns arising from affected doses. The health ministry said it would work with Takeda to secure alternative doses to avoid disruption to the country's vaccine programme, which has ramped up after a slow start. Around 43 percent of Japan's population is currently fully vaccinated, but the country is battling a record surge of virus cases driven by the more contagious Delta variant. Around 15,500 people have died from Covid-19 in the country during the pandemic, and large parts of Japan are under virus restrictions. Japan will expand states of emergency to eight more prefectures from Friday, taking the total to 21 regions from Hokkaido in the north to the southern island of Okinawa and covering nearly 80 per cent of its population. Hospitals near capacity Nomura Research Institute executive economist Takahide Kiuchi estimated the latest state-of-emergency expansion would lead to an additional economic loss of about 420 billion yen ($3.8 billion), bringing the total fallout from Japan's fourth round of emergency curbs to 3.84 trillion yen. That dwarfs the 1.68-trillion-yen boost the economy was expected to see from holding the Olympic and Paralympic Games, he estimated. The government will decide this week to tap an additional 1.4 trillion yen from reserves for the additional costs of dealing with the pandemic, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said, adding that about 60 per cent of the public will be fully vaccinated by the end of September. "I've done my utmost to promote coronavirus vaccination," he said. Still, months of emergency curbs in Tokyo and surrounding areas have failed to reverse a surge in infections and about 90 per cent of the city's critical care beds are occupied. The latest state-of-emergency expansion will add Hokkaido, Aichi, Hiroshima and five other prefectures starting from Friday through to September 12. Another four prefectures will be placed under more limited "quasi-emergency" measures, bringing the regions under those curbs to a total of 12 out of Japan's 47 prefectures. "Maintaining the health system is the top priority to protect the lives of citizens," Suga said. With hospital beds filled to or nearing capacity, many people have been forced to convalesce at home with some dying before they can get treatment. Securing oxygen stations and nurses, as well as considering the use of antibody cocktails for outpatients, were among the priorities, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said earlier. "The working-age demographic is the driving force (behind the rise in infections)," Nishimura said. "We need to halve the movement of people." He added that infections transmitted by children as new school terms start were another concern. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan halts use of 1.63 million Moderna COVID-19 vaccine over contamination

US pharmaceutical company&nbsp;Moderna&nbsp;on Wednesday agreed to&nbsp;deliver&nbsp;25&nbsp;million Covid-19&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;shots to&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;by the end of next year as the country deals with a lagging immunization campaign.

Moderna&nbsp;will&nbsp;deliver&nbsp;10 million doses this year and by&nbsp;2022&nbsp;deliver&nbsp;15 million booster shots that are still being tested but meant to neutralize variants of Covid-19, the company and the Australian government said in a statement.

"We appreciate the partnership and support from the government of&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;with this first supply agreement for doses of the&nbsp;Moderna&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;and our variant booster candidates,"&nbsp;Moderna&nbsp;CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement.

This month,&nbsp;Moderna&nbsp;released positive results from trials of a modified&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;aimed at the South African and Brazilian Covid-19 variants, and of the third dose of its initial&nbsp;vaccine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/modernas-trial-sees-progress-against-covid-19-varients-brings-good-news-and-encouragement-383146">Moderna's trial sees progress against COVID-19 varients, brings good news and encouragement</a>

Australia's Covid-19&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;campaign has lagged behind those of other countries and the government's target. This week Canberra set a new goal of vaccinating all willing adults by the end of this year.

So far,&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;has delivered 2.5 million&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;shots, versus the roughly 50 million jabs needed to vaccinate the entire population.

After a series of problems with&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;delivery and the use of the AstraZeneca&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;for those under 50, the government is now in talks to manufacture promising mRNA&nbsp;vaccines&nbsp;domestically.

Australia&nbsp;has ridden out the coronavirus pandemic by effectively sealing itself off from the rest of the world and with a series of snap local lockdowns.&nbsp;

It remains one of the few places where there is no widespread community transmission and daily life is relatively normal.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australias-victoria-on-alert-after-first-virus-case-reported-in-two-months-384387">Australia’s Victoria on alert after first virus case reported in two months</a>

But very few Australians are immunized and there have been repeated outbreaks linked to quarantine facilities, raising fears that its success could be fleeting.

US pharmaceutical company Moderna on Wednesday agreed to deliver 25 million Covid-19 vaccine shots to Australia by the end of next year as the country deals with a lagging immunization campaign.

US pharmaceutical company Moderna on Wednesday agreed to deliver 25 million Covid-19 vaccine shots to Australia by the end of next year as the country deals with a lagging immunization campaign. Moderna will deliver 10 million doses this year and by 2022 deliver 15 million booster shots that are still being tested but meant to neutralize variants of Covid-19, the company and the Australian government said in a statement. "We appreciate the partnership and support from the government of Australia with this first supply agreement for doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and our variant booster candidates," Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement. This month, Moderna released positive results from trials of a modified vaccine aimed at the South African and Brazilian Covid-19 variants, and of the third dose of its initial vaccine. Also read | Moderna's trial sees progress against COVID-19 varients, brings good news and encouragement Australia's Covid-19 vaccine campaign has lagged behind those of other countries and the government's target. This week Canberra set a new goal of vaccinating all willing adults by the end of this year. So far, Australia has delivered 2.5 million vaccine shots, versus the roughly 50 million jabs needed to vaccinate the entire population. After a series of problems with vaccine delivery and the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for those under 50, the government is now in talks to manufacture promising mRNA vaccines domestically. Australia has ridden out the coronavirus pandemic by effectively sealing itself off from the rest of the world and with a series of snap local lockdowns. It remains one of the few places where there is no widespread community transmission and daily life is relatively normal. Also read | Australia’s Victoria on alert after first virus case reported in two months But very few Australians are immunized and there have been repeated outbreaks linked to quarantine facilities, raising fears that its success could be fleeting.

Moderna to deliver 25 mn vaccines to Australia by 2022

California health officials are asking for pausing the use of a huge batch of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine due to its ''higher-than-usual number of possible allergic reactions''.

California's top epidemiologist Dr. Erica S Pan&nbsp;issued a statement recommending the pause in the administration of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine lot&nbsp;'041L20A'.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-to-know-about-californias-vaccine-rollout-344954">What to know about California’s vaccine rollout</a>

"A higher-than-usual number of possible allergic reactions were reported with a specific lot of Moderna vaccine administered at one community vaccination clinic. Fewer than 10 individuals required medical attention over the span of 24 hours," Dr. Pan said.

According to the statement, "Out of an extreme abundance of caution and also recognizing the extremely limited supply of vaccine, we are recommending that providers use other available vaccine inventory and pause the administration of vaccines from Moderna Lot 041L20A until the investigation by the CDC, FDA, Moderna and the state is complete. We will provide an update as we learn more."

<img alt="F" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6c3c46e2-4e3d-4e43-8cee-3a2918fb4d9a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Er_M1TfXYAEhsYC.png" />

California, like many states, has struggled to use up as much vaccine as it received in initial allotments from the federal government, administering only about a third of the nearly 2.5 million doses shipped to the state as of Monday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom&nbsp;has set a goal of inoculating 1 million more&nbsp;Californians by the end of this week with the first shot of the two-dose vaccine.

California, the most populous state with nearly 40 million people, has accounted for much of the US&nbsp;surge since November.

State officials reported 42,299&nbsp;newly recorded confirmed cases Sunday, pushing the total to 2.9&nbsp;million since the pandemic began a year ago.

California&nbsp;hospitals have grown so full of COVID-19 patients that state officials ordered hospitals to delay non-life-threatening surgeries, preserving space for serious cancer removal and necessary heart operations.

Outside many Southern&nbsp;California&nbsp;hospitals, ambulances loaded with COVID-19 patients wait for hours until space becomes available in the intensive care unit (ICU) or emergency room (ER).

California health officials are asking for pausing the use of a huge batch of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine due to its ''higher-than-usual number of possible allergic reactions''.

California health officials are asking for pausing the use of a huge batch of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine due to its ''higher-than-usual number of possible allergic reactions''. California's top epidemiologist Dr. Erica S Pan issued a statement recommending the pause in the administration of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine lot '041L20A'. Also read: What to know about California’s vaccine rollout "A higher-than-usual number of possible allergic reactions were reported with a specific lot of Moderna vaccine administered at one community vaccination clinic. Fewer than 10 individuals required medical attention over the span of 24 hours," Dr. Pan said. According to the statement, "Out of an extreme abundance of caution and also recognizing the extremely limited supply of vaccine, we are recommending that providers use other available vaccine inventory and pause the administration of vaccines from Moderna Lot 041L20A until the investigation by the CDC, FDA, Moderna and the state is complete. We will provide an update as we learn more." California, like many states, has struggled to use up as much vaccine as it received in initial allotments from the federal government, administering only about a third of the nearly 2.5 million doses shipped to the state as of Monday. California Governor Gavin Newsom has set a goal of inoculating 1 million more Californians by the end of this week with the first shot of the two-dose vaccine. California, the most populous state with nearly 40 million people, has accounted for much of the US surge since November. State officials reported 42,299 newly recorded confirmed cases Sunday, pushing the total to 2.9 million since the pandemic began a year ago. California hospitals have grown so full of COVID-19 patients that state officials ordered hospitals to delay non-life-threatening surgeries, preserving space for serious cancer removal and necessary heart operations. Outside many Southern California hospitals, ambulances loaded with COVID-19 patients wait for hours until space becomes available in the intensive care unit (ICU) or emergency room (ER).

California pauses use of Moderna vaccine batch over allergic reactions

As <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shortage-of-oxygen-kills-every-coronavirus-patient-in-egyptian-hospitals-icu-354861">coronavirus</a> cases continue to mount in Europe, EU's medicines watchdog approved the Moderna coronavirus vaccine.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-covid-strain-leads-to-60000-new-cases-in-uk-354844/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The European Medicines Agency had earlier approved the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine last month as the EU&nbsp;began vaccinating citizens across countries from December 27.

EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said: "This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency, it is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-records-several-coronavirus-cases-near-beijing-imposes-new-restrictions-354849">pandemic</a> was declared by WHO."

The European Commission also formally backed US firm Moderna's vaccine.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said: "We are providing more COVID-19 vaccines for Europeans. With the Moderna vaccine, the second one now authorised in the EU, we will have a further 160 million doses. And more vaccines will come."&nbsp;

Moderna's vaccine was found to be 94.1 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19.

"EMA has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for COVID-19 vaccine Moderna to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 in people from 18 years of age," the European Medicines Agency said.

Europe has seen the highest number of coronavirus-related casualties with Italy, Spain, France being the worst-hit, other countries have also been hit hard in the second wave including Switzerland and eastern European countries.

Several European governments have put their countries under <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-johnson-says-end-of-lockdown-in-england-will-be-slow-unwrapping-354863">lockdown </a>as they battle the virus. EU has been battling with logistical issues in rolling out the vaccines as the Netherlands was seen to be lagging behind in administering the Pfizer-BionNTech vaccine.

The French government faced similar criticism after the national inoculation campaign got off to a slow start.

The World Bank has warned that delays in vaccine distribution could limit the global economic recovery to just 1.6 per cent this year.

As coronavirus cases continue to mount in Europe, EU's medicines watchdog approved the Moderna coronavirus vaccine. Watch: The European Medicines Agency had earlier approved the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine last month as the EU began vaccinating citizens across countries from December 27.

As coronavirus cases continue to mount in Europe, EU's medicines watchdog approved the Moderna coronavirus vaccine. Watch: The European Medicines Agency had earlier approved the Pfizer-BionTech vaccine last month as the EU began vaccinating citizens across countries from December 27. EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said: "This vaccine provides us with another tool to overcome the current emergency, it is a testament to the efforts and commitment of all involved that we have this second positive vaccine recommendation just short of a year since the pandemic was declared by WHO." The European Commission also formally backed US firm Moderna's vaccine. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said: "We are providing more COVID-19 vaccines for Europeans. With the Moderna vaccine, the second one now authorised in the EU, we will have a further 160 million doses. And more vaccines will come." Moderna's vaccine was found to be 94.1 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19. "EMA has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for COVID-19 vaccine Moderna to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 in people from 18 years of age," the European Medicines Agency said. Europe has seen the highest number of coronavirus-related casualties with Italy, Spain, France being the worst-hit, other countries have also been hit hard in the second wave including Switzerland and eastern European countries. Several European governments have put their countries under lockdown as they battle the virus. EU has been battling with logistical issues in rolling out the vaccines as the Netherlands was seen to be lagging behind in administering the Pfizer-BionNTech vaccine. The French government faced similar criticism after the national inoculation campaign got off to a slow start. The World Bank has warned that delays in vaccine distribution could limit the global economic recovery to just 1.6 per cent this year.

EU regulator approves Moderna coronavirus vaccine amid surge in cases

The US Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday issued a positively-worded briefing document about the Moderna <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">Covid-19 vaccine</a> ahead of a meeting by experts on whether to grant it emergency approval.

The FDA was upbeat on the vaccine, saying there were "no specific safety concerns identified that would preclude issuance of an EUA (emergency use authorization" and confirmed an overall efficacy of 94.1 per cent.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-administers-first-coronavirus-vaccine-donald-trump-congratulates-americans-349779" hreflang="en">US administers first coronavirus vaccine; Donald Trump congratulates Americans</a>

The comments were made in documents prepared for Thursday's meeting of outside experts, who will discuss whether to endorse a U.S. emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Moderna shot.

The FDA typically follows the advice of the panel, but is not required to do so. Moderna&nbsp;is the second vaccine the FDA has considered, behind one from Pfizer Inc. and Germany's BioNTech, which was authorized last week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moderna-to-charge-25-37-for-covid-19-vaccine-344644">Moderna to charge $25-$37 for COVID-19 vaccine</a>

Hospitals began giving the Pfizer shots on Monday and the United States is counting on the Moderna vaccine to fulfill its promise to inoculate 20 million people this month.

One dose protection

The FDA said that there appeared to be some protection for trial participants after the first dose of Moderna's vaccine, which is given in two shots, with 28 days between inoculations, but there was not enough information on longer term protection.

It said that vaccine efficacy was 80.2 per cent&nbsp;in participants who only received one dose at the time of the interim analysis, which was based on data collected as of November&nbsp;7.

They said that serious side effects in the trial of the vaccine represented medical events that occur in the general population at a similar frequency as observed in the study.

The FDA did flag the possibility that the vaccine was contributing to Bell's palsy, a type of facial paralysis also reported by participants in the Pfizer trial.

Moderna reported four cases of Bell's palsy, including three among people who had the vaccine and 1 in the placebo group. The company said that three of the cases had resolved itself.

Although the FDA said that the trial participants with Bell's palsy had predisposing factors, the "potential contribution of the vaccine to the manifestations of these events of facial palsy cannot be ruled out".

Pfizer reported six cases of Bell's palsy, including 4 in the vaccine arm, which it said was a rate typical of the general population.

Moderna shares, which have risen nearly eight-fold this year up to Monday's closing price, were up 1.8 per cent&nbsp;before the bell.

The US Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday issued a positively-worded briefing document about the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine ahead of a meeting by experts on whether to grant it emergency approval.

The US Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday issued a positively-worded briefing document about the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine ahead of a meeting by experts on whether to grant it emergency approval. The FDA was upbeat on the vaccine, saying there were "no specific safety concerns identified that would preclude issuance of an EUA (emergency use authorization" and confirmed an overall efficacy of 94.1 per cent. Also read: US administers first coronavirus vaccine; Donald Trump congratulates Americans The comments were made in documents prepared for Thursday's meeting of outside experts, who will discuss whether to endorse a U.S. emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Moderna shot. The FDA typically follows the advice of the panel, but is not required to do so. Moderna is the second vaccine the FDA has considered, behind one from Pfizer Inc. and Germany's BioNTech, which was authorized last week. Also read: Moderna to charge $25-$37 for COVID-19 vaccine Hospitals began giving the Pfizer shots on Monday and the United States is counting on the Moderna vaccine to fulfill its promise to inoculate 20 million people this month. One dose protection The FDA said that there appeared to be some protection for trial participants after the first dose of Moderna's vaccine, which is given in two shots, with 28 days between inoculations, but there was not enough information on longer term protection. It said that vaccine efficacy was 80.2 per cent in participants who only received one dose at the time of the interim analysis, which was based on data collected as of November 7. They said that serious side effects in the trial of the vaccine represented medical events that occur in the general population at a similar frequency as observed in the study. The FDA did flag the possibility that the vaccine was contributing to Bell's palsy, a type of facial paralysis also reported by participants in the Pfizer trial. Moderna reported four cases of Bell's palsy, including three among people who had the vaccine and 1 in the placebo group. The company said that three of the cases had resolved itself. Although the FDA said that the trial participants with Bell's palsy had predisposing factors, the "potential contribution of the vaccine to the manifestations of these events of facial palsy cannot be ruled out". Pfizer reported six cases of Bell's palsy, including 4 in the vaccine arm, which it said was a rate typical of the general population. Moderna shares, which have risen nearly eight-fold this year up to Monday's closing price, were up 1.8 per cent before the bell.

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine shows 'no specific safety concerns', says US FDA