PoliTalker
Diversity Makes Greatness
FDA approval of the Covid-19 vaccine could mean more people will get vaccinated for an unexpected reason
"Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is currently only authorized for emergency use in the United States, but its full approval by the US Food and Drug Administration could happen within weeks.
The ramifications could alter the course of the pandemic in several ways.
First, full approval of a Covid-19 vaccine could persuade more people to get vaccinated.
More than 30% of the eligible population in the United States still hasn’t gotten a vaccine."
"Three in ten unvaccinated adults said they would be more likely to get vaccinated if one of the vaccines moves to full approval, according to a survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation."
"Full approval of a Covid-19 vaccine could also make workplace mandates easier. Many unvaccinated people would face a financial reason to get one; they’ll need it to keep their jobs.
“FDA approval alone is not going to make many individuals run out and get it now, but you’re going to start seeing health systems and employers feel more emboldened to require them,” Wolf said. “There’s precedent for mandatory vaccinations and immunizations.”
Workplaces already have the legal authority to mandate the Covid-19 vaccine, according to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. But full approval could give any legal challenge less potency.
“FDA approval is the gold standard. The world’s regulators look to our FDA as the beacon when it comes to such issues as this,” George Karavetsos, a legal expert who had worked at the FDA and now provides strategic advice to FDA regulated companies as an attorney at Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney, said. “I can assure you, they’re going to make sure they got this right.”"
"Full approval may also provide political cover to get more people vaccinated. On Wednesday, Louisiana’s Governor John Bel Edwards said he would not consider requiring the vaccine for state employees “unless and until the FDA grants full licensure to one of more of the Covid vaccines.” The state has the highest per capita number of cases of any state and one of the lowest vaccination rates."
***
Bring it ON.