The First COVID-19 Vaccine Received Approval on August 23, 2021

The First COVID-19 Vaccine Received Approval on August 23, 2021

By April N. Kapu, DNP, APRN, ACNP- BC, FAANP, FCCM, FAAN

On August 23, 2021, our country reached an important milestone in our fight against the pandemic. The vaccine known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine is also available to children age 12 to 15 under an emergency use authorization (EUA). Certain immunocompromised individuals are also eligible to receive a third “booster” dose.

For the millions of people who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, the FDA’s approval should instill additional confidence of the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness in helping protect against severe illness and death from COVID-19 variants that are currently circulating, including the prevalent delta variant.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccination, to discuss questions or concerns related to the vaccines or to schedule your vaccination appointment, contact your nurse practitioner.

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