The FDA fully approved the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine yesterday, August 23rd. (FDA News Release here)

Pfizer received emergency approval from the FDA in December 2020 for individuals 16 and older then was approved for individuals ages 12 to 15 in May 2021. The briefing explains that Pfizer received emergency approval because the FDA determined that the potential benefits outweighed potential risks of the vaccine amidst this public health emergency.

The FDA has been able to grant full approval based on thorough analysis of continued data that’s been gathered since Pfizer’s emergency approval in December. 

Many are hoping this is a step further in encouraging people to get vaccinated and help the nation move closer to herd immunity. 

  The New York Times reported that this federal approval is encouraging vaccine mandates. Some of these agencies include the Pentagon, the New York City school system and CVS. More may be to come. 

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