Advisers to the FDA back Novavax COVID vaccine

Dr. Stephaun Wallace, who leads the global external relations strategies for the COVID-19 Prevention Network at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, receives his second injection from Dr. Tia Babu during the Novavax vaccine phase 3 clinical trial in February 2021. (Karen Ducey/Getty Images)

In a 21-0 vote with one abstention, advisers to the Food and Drug Administration recommended that the agency authorize Novavax's two-dose vaccine against COVID-19.

In comments to the committee before its vote, Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA's top vaccine official said, "We speak to making available another option for those who might not otherwise take a vaccine."