Moderna Vaccine is Vegan

Moderna FDA advisory committee meeting is scheduled for 12/17 and meeting documents are available online. Below is an extract of the executive summary of the Moderna briefing document. I have emphasized in bold text the key phrase for those of us who care about animals. Note the Pfizer briefing document for the 12/10 FDA meeting is silent on animal content of their vaccine. 

The Moderna briefing says in part: 

‘[…] The proposed mRNA-1273 vaccine regimen consists of two 100-μg intramuscular (IM) injections administered 28 days apart. […] ModernaTX, Inc. (the Sponsor) has developed a rapid-response, proprietary vaccine platform based on a messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery system. The mRNA platform is based on knowledge of the established biology of cellular protein biosynthesis. mRNA is the ‘blueprint’ that cells use to synthesize the proteins needed for their physiology. Cells are able to uptake mRNA delivered in an LNP, translate the mRNA into its associated protein, and then express that protein viral antigen(s) on the cell surface to elicit an immune response. The delivered mRNA does not enter the cell nucleus or interact with the genome, is nonreplicating, and is only expressed transiently before undergoing degradation by the cell’s natural mRNA degradation process. […] The manufacturing process, which has been under development for 10 years, is cell-free and does not use vectors or animal products, preservatives or adjuvants. Recognizing the broad potential of mRNA science, the mRNA technology platform was designed to function so that it could rapidly pivot to address this pandemic. Moderna was able to leverage the learnings of numerous vaccines in development, along with early pre-clinical work with other coronaviruses to select the appropriate antigen design to rapidly respond to the public need.’