FDA Announces Approval of First COVID-19 Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today they approved the first COVID-19 vaccine known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals ages 16 and older. The vaccine will be marketed as Comirnaty.

“We are grateful for the FDA approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 and older. This approval should increase public confidence in the safety of the vaccine and encourage more individuals to be vaccinated,” said Don Duffy, Interim Director at PHD.

PHD continues to encourage those 12 years of age and older to be vaccinated. The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine continues to be available for those 12 through 15 years of age under the emergency use authorization (EUA) as well as for the administration of a third dose in those with weakened immune systems. In addition, the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines continue to be available for those 18 years and older under the EUA.

PHD’s website, https://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19/vaccine/, lists locations where individuals can receive the COVID-19 vaccine.