FDA Grants Full Approval for Pfizer Vaccine

Pfizer Vaccine is Now Approved by FDA. What Does That Mean?

The Food and Drug Administration’s full authorization to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has a number of public health officials hopeful the move will encourage people who had been reluctant to get a shot now. For more on the approval and inoculation efforts, Judy Woodruff turns to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Read the summary, watch the video and answer the discussion questions. To read the transcript of the video, click here.

Discussion Questions

• Who is interviewed for this piece and what is his background?
• What are some of the reasons the Pfizer vaccine is just now officially approved by the FDA, even though millions have already taken it?
• When are other commonly used COVID vaccines expected to be officially approved?
• Where are vaccination rates lagging?
• Why is the process of obtaining approval for new medications or vaccines so time consuming?
• How has the U.S. tried to speed up the process?

Focus Questions

1. Do you think the FDA’s full approval will encourage more people to take the vaccine? Why or why not?
2. What do you think are some ways to help encourage people to take the vaccine who haven’t already?

Media Literacy: Why do you think PBS NewsHour turned to Dr. Anthony Fauci to discuss latest developments in COVID-19 and its treatment and prevention?

Additional Resources:

• Check out this lesson plan to discuss ways to encourage community members to help get the vaccine.
• Learn about one of many strategies being used to get people vaccinated in locations where they’re comfortable.

Republished with permissio from PBS NewsHour Extra.