FDA could approve COVID-19 vaccine before phase three trials end

by: Julie Montoya, Andy Riesmeyer, Samantha Cortese, Robert Puente

Posted: Aug 31, 2020 / 06:33 PM PDT

Updated: Aug 31, 2020 / 06:33 PM PDT

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

The Food and Drug Administration could authorize the emergency use of a COVID-19 vaccine before phase three trials are over.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn told the Financial Times that if a vaccine developer applies for approval before the end of phase three, the FDA may authorize it.

Hahn said the agency would have to determine that the benefit outweighs the risk. He also said the vaccine decision would be based on data, not politics.

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This segment aired on Aug. 31, 2020.