Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Gets Full Approval…Now What?

The FDA gave full approval to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adult use and it's the first to lose the "emergency use authorization" tag.

“The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product,” acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statement.

The vaccine will be marketed under the name Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee).

Proponents of the vaccine hope that the full approval will push those who are hesitant about taking the shot because of emergency use classification into rolling up their sleeves.

President Joe Biden said on Monday he hoped employers will now require their workers to take the shot.

"If you’re a business leader, a non-profit leader, a state or local leader who has been waiting for full FDA approval to require vaccinations, I call on you now to do that — require it. Do what I did last month and require your employees to get vaccinated or face strict requirements," Biden said at the White House.

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, and Maggie Hassan, D-NH shared their excitment on their respective Twitter pages in retweets of news stories about the approval.

"This is great news that makes clear: Vaccines work against COVID-19. Granite Staters that are not yet vaccinated should sign up *today* – it’s our best defense to protect ourselves and loved ones and finally end this pandemic," Shaheen said.

"This is welcome news! As the Delta variant surges across the country, the COVID-19 vaccine is our best defense. It’s safe, effective, and free for all Americans — and today marks another proof point of its success," Hassan said.

During his COVID-19 press briefing on Aug. 12, Gov. Chris Sununu encouraged employers to speak with employees before mandating vaccination.

"The most important thing is to talk to the employees. Don't just make a decision in a vacuum," Sununu said when asked.

Sununu acknowledged that the decision to get vaccinated is a personal one.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH