Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Gets Full Approval, ODH Celebrates

COLUMBUS, OH — The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine received full FDA approval for anyone 16 and older on Monday, prompting the Ohio Department of Health to again urged residents to get vaccinated.

“For some time, I have said I believe it is a matter of when, not if, the Pfizer vaccine receives full FDA approval. Now, that day has come. Full approval of this safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine can give Ohioans an added layer of confidence when choosing to be vaccinated," said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health.

As COVID-19 cases climb around Ohio, and students return to classrooms, Vanderhoff and Gov. Mike DeWine have been beating the drum for vaccinations, repeatedly reinforcing that vaccination is the best method for preventing the virus' spread.

"For any Ohioan who has been waiting to receive the vaccine until full approval is granted, today is the day. Pfizer vaccines are readily available at providers across the state, and COVID-19 vaccines are our best protection against the virus," Vanderhoff said again on Monday.

The vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech now carries the strongest endorsement from the Food and Drug Administration, which has never before had so much evidence to judge a shot's safety. More than 200 million Pfizer doses already have been administered in the U.S. — and hundreds of millions more worldwide — since emergency use began in December.

"The public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product," said acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock. "Today's milestone puts us one step closer to altering the course of this pandemic in the U.S."

Ohioans can schedule a vaccination appointment via gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this article.