FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Statement attributable to:
Ada D. Stewart, MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The AAFP applauds the full FDA approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in individuals 16 years of age and older following a rigorous review of the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the vaccine. We are optimistic that full approval will improve patients’ confidence in the safety, effectiveness, and quality of the COVID-19 vaccine and help them decide to get vaccinated. Family physicians know that COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection from severe disease and death caused by COVID-19, and the FDA's decision reaffirms that vaccines are safe and are the most effective tool we have to end the pandemic. It is critical that all eligible individuals get their first two doses of the vaccine. This is the best way to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.
“While full approval of the Pfizer vaccine is welcome news, we now turn our sights to expeditiously getting emergency use authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of 12 as soon as the available evidence supports vaccine safety and efficacy.”
“Family physicians will continue to serve as trusted partners in vaccine education and administration. We trust the science of vaccines and encourage our patients to learn more about vaccines and how getting vaccinated builds a community of immunity at familydoctor.org/vaccines.”
“Hope is on the horizon, but we must remain vigilant. Regardless of vaccination status, it remains critical that we all continue to practice mask wearing, handwashing and social distancing. Working together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 and put an end to this pandemic.”
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Stewart, contact Janelle Davis, (913) 912-0377, or jdavis@aafp.org.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.