The U.S. is considering administering shots that contain half the recommended dose of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine to expedite the vaccine rollout process, Moncef Slaoui, PhD, chief scientific advisor to Operation Warp Speed, said during a Jan. 4 interview on CBS' Face the Nation.
Dr. Slaoui said data shows a half dose of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine induces an "identical immune response" to the recommended full 100 microgram dose for people ages 18 to 55.
He also said the federal government is in discussions with Moderna and with the FDA to start administering half doses of Moderna's vaccine; that decision is ultimately up to the FDA.