August 24, 2021 Public Health Advisory: FDA Approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a full approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to prevent COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine continues to be available under an Emergency Use Authorization for individuals aged 12-15 and for third doses for individuals who are immunocompromised. This vaccine has met the rigorous standards of the FDA and this approval reinforces the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
It is a critical time for anyone eligible for the vaccine who has not yet been vaccinated to go to MyTurn.ca.gov and schedule an appointment to get vaccinated. The Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is present across the state is much more infectious than the strains that were circulating previously. Everyone who is not vaccinated is at extreme risk to become infected. You can protect yourself and those around you by getting vaccinated.
It takes two weeks after the final dose of the vaccine series for protection to be present. It is still very important for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people to wear a face covering when indoors in public spaces and crowded settings to decrease virus transmission. We must take all available measures to prevent ongoing transmission and stop the pandemic.
