Skip to main content
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Our Vision
    • Our Vision Overview
    • Why Health Equity
    • Focus Areas
    • Measuring RWJF Progress
  • Grants
    • Grants Overview
    • Active Funding Opportunities
    • Awarded Grants
    • Grantee Stories
    • Grant Process
    • Grantee Resources
  • Insights
    • Insights Overview
    • Blog
    • Our Research
    • Advocacy And Policy
  • About RWJF
    • About RWJF Overview
    • Our Guiding Principles
    • How We Work
    • Impact Investments
    • Staff And Trustees
    • Press Room
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Accessibility Statement
Find A Grant
Global Search Dialog
    Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
    • Our Vision
      • Our Vision Overview
      • Why Health Equity
      • Focus Areas
      • Measuring RWJF Progress
    • Grants
      • Grants Overview
      • Active Funding Opportunities
      • Awarded Grants
      • Grantee Stories
      • Grant Process
      • Grantee Resources
    • Insights
      • Insights Overview
      • Blog
      • Our Research
      • Advocacy And Policy
    • About RWJF
      • About RWJF Overview
      • Our Guiding Principles
      • How We Work
      • Impact Investments
      • Staff And Trustees
      • Press Room
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
      • Accessibility Statement
    Find A Grant
    Global Search Dialog

      Statement from Richard Besser, MD, on FDA Granting Full Approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Individuals Ages 16 and Older

      1. About RWJF
      2. Press Room
      3. Statement from Richard Besser, MD, on FDA Granting Full Approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Individuals Ages 16 and Older

      The following is a statement from Richard Besser, MD—president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC—on the FDA granting full approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals ages 16 and older.

      The FDA’s decision to grant full approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is grounded in science and the real-world experience of administering hundreds of millions of vaccine doses in the United States. This confirms the safety and incredible effectiveness of this vaccine. I am hopeful that full approval will address any remaining concerns and will move many people to a ‘yes’ on vaccination. It is time for schools, businesses, health care facilities, and other indoor places where people congregate to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for admittance for all who are vaccine-eligible.

      Full approval could not come at a more important time, as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to drive up caseloads and deaths across the United States. We must persist in our efforts to get more people vaccinated. We will not get there by shaming or berating those who have not yet gotten their shots. Everyone deserves the opportunity to get their questions answered by physicians and other trusted voices and room to change their minds. Redoubling efforts to ensure an equitable vaccine rollout—in particular in communities of color that have been hit hardest by the pandemic—is essential. We must also work harder to ensure that vaccines reach people with disabilities who are homebound.

      This is also a moment to reflect on the fact that while vaccine supply in the United States is plentiful, many middle- and low-income nations are still navigating a deadly pandemic with little or no vaccine protection at all. This represents a global failure. Ensuring an adequate supply of vaccines in every country and community must be a health, economic, and moral imperative for the world, and this is a critical time for the United States to assert its leadership.

       

      About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

      For more than 45 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are working alongside others to build a national Culture of Health that provides everyone in America a fair and just opportunity for health and well-being. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.

      Related Content

      RWJF Feature
      Two hands holding opposite ends of a mask in front of a sunset.

      COVID-19

      :A listing of research and perspectives on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

      Subscribe to receive Funding Alerts & more

      Explore the latest in reflection and research from subject matter experts at RWJF and our wide network of partners.

      Email address already subscribed. Please check your inbox to manage your subscriptions.

      Subscribed!

      Thank you. You are now subscribed.

      Tell us what type of content you want to receive.

      Be informed with our twice a month newsletter updating you with relevant news and research around a Culture of Health, as well as the latest funding opportunities.

      Get funded by RWJF: Receive notifications when new funding opportunities are released.

      Receive monthly updates on RWJF-sponsored research that informs many robust health policy debates on Capitol Hill, covering topics like health equity, improving access to quality healthcare, equitable housing, and more.

      Shop talk for researchers. This monthly newsletter covers research news and opportunities from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

      Communications expedite action. Get periodic research and expert insights on the best ways to communicate so we can spread what works.

      Sometimes we have news, announcements or opportunities that don't quite fit the subscription parameters above. If you're interested, we'll send you this information under "There's more...". *If you've indicated you are an EU resident, we will only send these communications if you intentionally check this box.

      Which profession or pursuit best describes you?

      Area(s) Of Interest

      Unsubscribe

      Stop receiving all emails from RWJF

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      • CONTACT RWJF

        50 College Road East
        Princeton, NJ 08540-6614

         

        US Toll Free: (877) 843-7953

        International: +1 (609) 627-6000

      • MANAGE YOUR GRANTS

        MyRWJF Login

        • Facebook
        • LinkedIn
        • YouTube
        • Instagram

      • Our Vision
        • Our Vision Overview
        • Why Health Equity
        • Focus Areas
        • Measuring RWJF Progress
      • Grants
        • Grants Overview
        • Active Funding Opportunities
        • Awarded Grants
        • Grantee Stories
        • Grant Process
        • Grantee Resources
      • Insights
        • Insights Overview
        • Blog
        • Our Research
        • Advocacy And Policy
      • About RWJF
        • About RWJF Overview
        • Our Guiding Principles
        • How We Work
        • Impact Investments
        • Staff And Trustees
        • Press Room
        • Careers
        • Contact Us
        • Accessibility Statement

      ©2001- 

      Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All Rights Reserved. 

       

      • Manage Email
      • Privacy Statement
      • Terms and Conditions