US FDA considering approach that is similar to, but more stringent than, influenza strain changes, CBER Director Marks says. But how to know what variants need a limited study and which one need a big one will be an ongoing challenge, NIH's Graham notes. As FDA and sponsors gain more experience with tweaking the vaccines to account for new coronavirus variants and strains, the process may be expedited further.

Nina Daily, chief marketing officer at the Professional Beauty Association since July 2018, will succeed Steve Sleeper as executive director at the end of June when Sleeper retires. More cosmetics industry appointments.

New round of orders would give the US all the vaccine it needs from the existing mRNA products, taking pressure off AstraZeneca as it experiences manufacturing challenges and the EU considers export restrictions to ensure it gets enough vaccine.