According to polling data, 73% of Americans want more vaccine choices. A federal advisory committee Tuesday recommended a fourth COVID-19 vaccine be authorized for use in the Unites States. The vaccine, which was supported by $1.8 billion in taxpayer funding, relies on a more traditional approach than the vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, which have been used by more than three-quarters of Americans. Dr. Peter Marks, head of the FDA’s vaccine review division, opened Tuesday's meeting by saying that because of vaccine hesitancy – which has left about 23% of the public unvaccinated – the government should do everything within its power to offer more options. Before the vaccine can become available, the head of the FDA must agree with the advisory panel that the benefits of Novavax's vaccine outweigh its risks. Then, a CDC Panel and the CDC director must also sign off on the vaccine. That process is likely to take a few weeks at least. Novavax has said it has millions of doses available and ready to be shipped once it receives authorization. Click the link in our bio for more information.