EU regulator verdict on Moderna COVID-19 booster shot next week

LONDON - The European Union's drug regulator expects to announce the results of its review of Moderna's COVID-19 booster vaccine next week and also to start a rolling review of Merck's antiviral oral pill, a senior official said on Thursday.

The results of the Moderna review will be announced on Oct. 25, Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccines strategy for the European Medicines Agency (EMA), told a briefing.

Cavaleri also said it was not clear whether Russia would submit an application for its one-dose coronavirus vaccine, known as Sputnik Light, in addition to one already submitted for its two-dose Sputnik V shot.