FDA fully approves first COVID-19 vaccine on August 23, 2021

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - On August 23, 2021 the Food and Drug Administration fully approved the Phizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for adults.

It was the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive full review and approval in the United States. It followed a clinical trial involving 44 thousand participants where the shots were proven to be 91% effective in preventing deadly infection.

The approval was the turning point in response to the pandemic. As vaccinations increased, the number of infections and deaths were reduced.