“Full approval of Pfizer’s Covid vaccine triggers potential formal mandates across government, businesses, and schools.”
In a significant move in the fight against Covid-19, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine, which had been administered under emergency use authorization (EUA) since December 2020, is now officially recognized for its safety and efficacy in preventing Covid-19.
President Joe Biden celebrated the approval as a “key milestone” in the nation’s ongoing battle against the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of science and public health in defeating the virus.
This full approval is expected to catalyze a new wave of formal vaccine requirements across various sectors. Already, the Pentagon has indicated that the Department of Defense is prepared to issue updated guidance, requiring all US military personnel to be vaccinated. Additionally, in New York City, local officials have announced that all public school teachers and staff will be mandated to receive the vaccine.
With the FDA’s stamp of approval, many businesses, schools, and government departments are likely to follow suit, implementing similar requirements to safeguard their workers and students.
This approval is anticipated to not only boost vaccination rates but also bolster efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy, as some individuals were waiting for the vaccine to gain full approval before getting vaccinated.
The news comes amid ongoing efforts to control the spread of Covid-19, especially with the rise of the Delta variant. As more people get vaccinated, public health experts hope to bring the pandemic under control, potentially averting further lockdowns and economic disruptions.
