The federal Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people age 16 and older.
This is the first vaccine to receive traditional approval, and health officials hope the move will encourage more people to get vaccinated.
Previously, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had been granted emergency use authorization by the FDA. "I've heard from some folks who were waiting until 'full approval' from the FDA to get a COVID vaccine," San Francisco Mayor London Breed wrote on Twitter August 23. "Well, today that happened with the Pfizer vaccine.
Appointments are widely available and you can go get your shot today!" Addressing the nation on Monday, President Joe Biden offered the same message. "Let me