Hirono Statement on the FDA Granting Emergency Use Authorization to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine:

“Today’s announcement is a long-awaited milestone in our nation’s fight against COVID-19, and I commend the many people in government and the private sector whose dedication, professionalism, and ingenuity made this achievement possible. While we celebrate the authorization of the first coronavirus vaccine, we cannot ignore the immense, ongoing human toll of this pandemic – which has already claimed nearly 300,000 lives and is currently surging across the country. The authorization of this vaccine alone will not end the pandemic, and all of us must continue doing our part – by wearing a mask, washing our hands, and practicing social distancing. 

“We expect the first doses of this vaccine to be distributed in the coming days, beginning with frontline health care workers and our kupuna living in elder care facilities. I plan to get vaccinated on a timeline determined by the State of Hawaii and based on the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure equitable distribution. I encourage every Hawaii resident and American to do the same.”

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