FDA approves Pfizer vaccine

On Aug. 23, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. It will now be known as Comirnaty and will be available for those who are sixteen years of age or older. This vaccine is commonly administered in two doses, but the FDA is currently reviewing a third dosage for immunocompromised individuals.

According to the official FDA website, FDA commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. has said, “While millions of people have already safely received COVID-19 vaccines, we recognize that for some, the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated. Today’s milestone puts us one step closer to altering the course of this pandemic in the U.S.”

While the FDA was reviewing the vaccine, approximately 20,000 vaccines were analyzed for effectiveness on placebo recipients ages 16 and older.

The vaccine contains a genetic material known as mRNA, which replicates a protein present in COVID-19. The immune system of a vaccine recipient will then create a defense against the virus. Common side effects include fever, pain and headaches; however, the vaccine has been proven to effectively prevent COVID-19.

Moderna, another vaccine used to prevent COVID-19, has now completed its submission to the FDA for approval.