Governor, Public Health Commissioner Release Statement on Pfizer Vaccine Approval: “we are in a far different place now than we were a year ago thanks to this extraordinary tool.”

Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Public Health Acting Commissioner Dr. Deidre Gifford today released the following statements in response to the full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

Governor Lamont said, “This is an important moment for our fight against the coronavirus as schools are set to return and more companies are looking to see the safe return to work. It is my hope that this approval leads even more people to receive their safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine at any one of the hundreds of available sites across our state through both appointments and walk-ins. I am also proud that Pfizer has a significant operation here in Connecticut, which contributed to the development of this vaccine.”

Commissioner Gifford said, “The Connecticut Department of Public Health applauds the FDA approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This should further reassure those who decided to wait for the full FDA approval before being vaccinated. While we have seen an increase of COVID cases across the country due to the Delta variant, we are in a far different place now than we were a year ago thanks to this extraordinary tool. And it is easily accessible throughout Connecticut at pharmacies, health care providers, hospitals and federally qualified health centers. With this vaccine, COVID-19 is even closer to being a preventable disease. This virus affects people of all races, ages, and economic status, and the vaccine is by far the safest and most effective strategy we have to put this pandemic behind us once and for all. Many Connecticut residents have well-founded reasons for questioning public health authorities. There have been too many times in the past when the medical system fell short. Despite those shortcomings, for the health and safety of all our communities, we are appealing to you now to trust the science, talk to your family and friends, and please get vaccinated.”