Monday’s expected FDA approval of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine is likely to lead to more universities and companies needing vaccines for students and employees, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said Sunday.
Speaking to Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday,” Murthy declined to confirm the Federal Food and Drug Administration’s plan to formally accept the vaccine Monday – but said he expects full approval. “as opposed to its current” emergency. ” , would push more Americans to get their shots.
“There are universities and companies that have been considering establishing vaccine requirements in order to create a safer, safer work environment,” Murthy added.
“I think this FDA announcement would probably encourage them and make them feel more comfortable applying certain requirements.”
On December 11, 2020, the Pfizer dose shot became the first vaccination against COVID-19 to receive emergency clearance and is expected to be the first to be approved by the federal agency.
The New York Times reported last week that approval was originally intended for Labor Day, but it was streamlined due to the recent rise in the more infectious Delta variant of the virus.
Full approval of the Modern vaccine could be in a few weeks, as the FDA continues to review its application, according to the report.
Aside from that, the Biden administration expects the FDA to approve its plan to give booster shots to Americans who have already received Moderna or Pfizer vaccines as of Sept. 20.
Speaking Sunday on “This Week,” on ABC, Murthy said officials had not yet determined the “safety and effectiveness” of Johnson & Johnson’s booster shots.
“We anticipate that people who received J&J will likely also need reinforcement,” he said.