The expected full approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine could arrive as early as next week, The New York Times i Politician it was reported on Friday, which could speed up further decisions on mandates.
The federal agency reportedly intends to grant the full license to Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech on Monday, the Times reported, citing people familiar with the agency’s planning.
The Times reported that FDA regulators were trying to get approval on Friday, but more paperwork and negotiations needed to be completed. Sources warned that the permit could be delayed last Monday.
The new timeline represents an acceleration of the plan to achieve full approval of the Pfizer vaccine for Labor Day, as reported The New York Times earlier this month.
Politician first reported that three people with knowledge of the matter said the agency is in the process of giving full permission for the shooting of Pfizer-BioNTech as early as next week.
The FDA declined to comment and The Hill has contacted the White House.
The three vaccines currently available in the U.S. were licensed under an emergency use authorization, meaning they would only be available as long as the country had a public health emergency declared. But COVID-19 vaccines are considered widely safe and effective under current FDA authorization.
The expectation of full authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine has ignited the hope of the Biden administration and external experts that more people will be vaccinated, which is crucial given the presence of the delta variant over the nation.
A greater number of vaccine mandates are expected after full licensing, as several organizations and employers wanted to wait for full FDA membership before announcing the requirements.
Full FDA approval could also affect people who are hesitant to get the sting after a Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that about 30% of unvaccinated people say they would be more willing to get the vaccine with the vaccine. full authorization.
In mid-April, vaccinations fell sharply before reactivation began in July amid a recent increase in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
Just over half of the total U.S. population is considered fully vaccinated against the virus. Of the eligible population 12 years or older, nearly 60% are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nine months ago, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was the first vaccine authorized for emergency use in the U.S., followed shortly after by Moderna. Pfizer and BioNTech applied for full FDA approval more than three months ago.
This week, the administration announced that it will make booster vaccines available on September 20th. Biden has also set vaccination requirements for federal workers.