Urgent Vaccination Push Immediately After FDA Approval
Local Governments, Schools, and Companies
Notify Employees to Submit Proof
Vaccination Mandate Expected to Accelerate
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on the 23rd (local time), signaling the full-scale implementation of vaccine mandates and booster shot campaigns in the United States. Immediately, U.S. President Joe Biden urged people to get vaccinated.
President Biden said at the White House regarding the FDA's full approval of the vaccine, "This is a major milestone in the fight against COVID-19," adding, "If you are one of the millions of Americans who have been waiting to get vaccinated until the FDA gave full approval, that approval is now here. It’s time to go get vaccinated. Get vaccinated today."
President Biden also called on the private sector and local governments to require proof of vaccination from their employees.
Governments and local authorities have already taken immediate action. The Department of Defense, which had announced plans to mandate vaccination for the military upon FDA full approval, announced the vaccine mandate for 1.4 million military-related personnel on the same day.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio mandated COVID-19 vaccination for all teachers and staff in public schools on the same day. By the 27th of next month, after the fall semester begins on the 13th, all school employees and teachers in New York City must provide proof of having received at least one vaccine dose.
United Airlines also notified its employees on the same day to submit proof of vaccination within five weeks. Oil major Chevron is also considering expanding the vaccine mandate to all employees. CNN described this as "opening the door to more vaccine mandate measures."
Janet Woodcock, Acting FDA Commissioner, said at a briefing after the full approval of the Pfizer vaccine, "The public can be confident that this vaccine meets the FDA’s highest standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality."
Meanwhile, the FDA made the decision to grant full approval to the Pfizer vaccine, which had been distributed under emergency use authorization. After full approval, Pfizer plans to market the vaccine under the brand name ‘Comirnaty.’
With the establishment of a basis for vaccination and the possibility of various forms of vaccine advertising to Americans, this could serve as an opportunity to reduce vaccine skepticism.
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