MADISON, WI (WSAU) — State officials with the Department of Health Services are making another push to increase Wisconsin’s COVID-19 vaccination rate one day after the US FDA gave the Moderna vaccine full approval for adults.
“The FDA fully approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine last August for those 16 and older and now has done the same with the Moderna vaccine for those 18 and older. These approvals are further confirmation that these vaccines are effective and safe,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “We urge those folks that have waited to get vaccinated to do so now and join their nearly 3.7 million fellow Wisconsinites who have received their COVID-19 vaccine.”
DHS officials emphasize that the shot remains the same as it was when it was distributed under emergency use authorization. In order to grant full approval, the FDA required extensive data on safety and effectiveness, inspection of manufacturing facilities, and a comprehensive review of all clinical and real-world use. The full approval means that even more data were gathered and analyzed following the grant of emergency use authorization in December 2020 to further confirm that this vaccine works and is safe.
The Moderna vaccine will now be marketed under the name Spikevax for the prevention of COVID-19 in people 18 years of age and older.
