Doctors hope FDA approval of Pfizer vaccine boosts confidence

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Public wellness experts and doctors are hopeful that the Food and Drug Administration’s decision Monday to springiness the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine its afloat approval for anyone property 16 and supra volition assistance assistance nationalist assurance and propulsion immoderate holdouts toward getting the shots. It could besides spur much vaccine mandates by companies, universities and section governments.

More than 200 cardinal doses already person been administered successful the U.S. since exigency usage began successful December, truthful the FDA has ne'er earlier had truthful overmuch grounds to justice a shot’s safety.

President Joe Biden calls it a cardinal milestone successful our conflict with coronavirus, including its highly infectious delta variant.

“If you’re 1 of the millions of Americans who said that they volition not get the changeable erstwhile until it has his afloat last support of the FDA, it has present happened,” Biden said. “The infinitesimal that you’ve been waiting for is present it’s clip for you to spell get your vaccination.”

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Pfizer’s changeable volition present beryllium marketed arsenic Comirnaty.

“With this afloat FDA approval, I americium precise assured that we tin truly enactment toward ending the pandemic erstwhile and for all,” said Dr. Chirag Patel, adjunct main aesculapian serviceman astatine UF Health Jacksonville.

As vaccinations trailed disconnected successful aboriginal July and infirmary beds began filling up, Patel said present that the changeable is FDA approved conscionable similar Tylenol, it should alleviate vaccine hesitancy.

“I deliberation today’s announcement is going to resonate astir the country,” said Patel. “The FDA approves each solidifies what I deliberation astir each healthcare supplier has been saying.”

The determination is expected to unfastened the doorway to much vaccine mandates. Biden imposed mandates to national employees past month, present he’s encouraging backstage companies to bash the same.

“If your concern leader, a nonprofit leader, a authorities oregon section person who has been waiting for afloat FDA support to necessitate vaccinations, I calling (on) you present to bash it,” said Biden.

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The Pentagon instantly announced it’ll necessitate work members to person the shot. Earlier this month, New York City, San Francisco and New Orleans each said they’ll necessitate impervious of vaccination for indoor activities.

Here successful Jacksonville, the University of North Florida and Florida State College astatine Jacksonville some accidental they are not mandating the vaccine based connected the FDA’s approval.

Jacksonville University sent a connection saying it already required vaccinations of module and unit but won’t necessitate it of students.

News4Jax reached retired to Mayor Lenny Curry’s bureau and the Chamber of Commerce astir whether they would statesman requiring vaccines. We are waiting for replies.

Pfizer’s changeable inactive has exigency usage authorization for 12- to 15-year-olds.

Moderna has besides applied to the FDA for afloat support of its vaccine. Johnson and Johnson hopes to bash the aforesaid aboriginal this year.

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