Pfizer COVID Vaccine Receives FDA Approval
Aug 23, 2021
Today the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for people age 16 and older. People between the ages of 12 and 15 can still receive the vaccine under the existing emergency use authorization (EUA). The Pfizer Covid vaccine is the first coronavirus vaccine to be approved by the FDA — the other vaccines (Such as Moderna) are expected to follow soon as well.
What Does FDA Approval Mean?
FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine means that data on the vaccine’s effects have been reviewed by the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), and the vaccine is determined to provide benefits that outweigh its known and potential risks for the intended population.
To put it simply, the Pfizer vaccine has been deemed safe and effective.
What About People Under The Age of 16?
At this time, the vaccine is available to people between the ages of 12 and 15 under the existing emergency use authorization. It is expected that FDA approval will be extended to this age group as well in the near future.
It is also expected for the emergency use authorization to be extended to people under the age of 12 by the end of this year (2021). The Covid vaccines are still in emergency use authorization for people between the ages of 12 and 15 because not enough time has passed to show how long the vaccines stay effective for this age group. The vaccines’ EUA status doesn’t mean they’re less safe.
Are The Other Vaccines Safe As Well?
Yes. All approved Covid vaccines in the United States with emergency use authorization and FDA approval are safe and effective. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are still in emergency use authorization because not enough time has passed to show how long the vaccines stay effective for this age group. Studies on these vaccines began shortly after the Pfizer vaccine trials began. The vaccines’ EUA status doesn’t mean they’re less safe. They are expected to receive full FDA approval in the near future as well.
Is The Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Effective?
Yes. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has an efficacy of roughly 95% and requires 2 shots, 3 weeks apart. It is an mRNA-based vaccine, which triggers an immune response that produces antibodies to protect us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies. As of today, 73% of adults in the United States have had at least one dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pfizer’s vaccine is the most commonly administered of these three vaccines, accounting for roughly 56% of the doses administered overall.
Get Vaccinated From COVID-19
Get The Pfizer Vaccine at HealthCore Clinic
Schedule your Covid-19 vaccine appointment at HealthCore Clinic by calling us at 316-691-0249 or by using our online contact form. We also offer walk-in vaccines, with no appointment required, every Friday between 9-11 AM. All Covid vaccines are provided at no cost to you, meaning they are safe, effective, and free.
