The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the first at-home rapid COVID-19 test that doesn't require a prescription and provides immediate results. Unlike other at-home COVID-19 tests, sending samples to a lab isn't necessary.
Additionally, the FDA is on track to approve Moderna's second COVID-19 vaccine by the end of this week. FDA scientists have reviewed Moderna's vaccine candidate and found it \"highly effective,\" with no serious safety issues. The vaccine requires two shots and demonstrated 94% effectiveness during clinical trials, performing well across different ages, races, and genders with minimal side effects.
According to CNN, about 20 million Americans are expected to be immunized by the end of December. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are partnering with the federal government to facilitate immunizations, prioritizing healthcare workers and long-term care residents and staff for the first doses.
Despite these advancements, vaccine availability for the general population remains limited. Meanwhile, COVID-19 infections continue to rise across the country, leading to hospitals reaching capacity.
Reference(s):
COVID-19: U.S. makes headway with vaccines & at-home testing
cgtn.com
