Video: COVID-19 and Why it Matters, FDA full approval of Pfizer vaccine

This video series features UW-Green Bay’s Immunologist Brian Merkel on COVID-19 and Why it Matters. This series empowers viewers with knowledge to help them navigate through the pandemic. Merkel has a Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology from the Medical College of Virginia. He is an associate professor in UW-Green Bay’s Human Biology & Biology programs and has an appointment at the Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Microbiology and Immunology. He will be responding to a number of questions related to COVID-19 and try to get behind the “why” it’s important to be educated in your decision-making as we navigate the pandemic together.

Video Transcript – COVID-19 Why it Matters: Part 24, FDA full approval of Pfizer vaccine

Hi Brian Merkel, UW-Green Bay Microbiology and Immunology, and we are here to talk about why COVID-19 matters to you.

We now have the Pfizer vaccine has full FDA approval. And what that essentially means is that, there’s follow-up data after the release of the vaccine and safety and efficacy data points are analyzed and assessed even further beyond what they already have been. So, for those that have remained resistant in terms of becoming vaccinated, I hope what it means for those individuals is that they will consider becoming immunized.

Because the reality right now, is that we have an emerging surge of the Delta variant. We are finding more hospitalizations with unvaccinated people. And what all these things demonstrate collectively, is that the vaccines are still and remain to be, your best bet from any risk of having moderate to severe complications from a COVID-19 infection.

The point that needs to be emphasized here is that these are incredibly safe and efficacious vaccines by any standard. The fact that we now have one of the three with this final stamp of approval. And so, I hope that’s an opportunity for those that have been resistant to become immunized, to do their part to help all of us get back to the life that we knew.

COVID-19 Why it Matters: Video Series Introduction with Brian Merkel https://youtu.be/M-yYPSPk30Q

Part 1: What are viruses and where did this one come from https://youtu.be/DYbiIv8ICgs

Part 2: Two main types of viruses https://youtu.be/O-OVk3rx96s

Part 3: Why is this virus serious? https://youtu.be/EDFyNN8i5G4

Part 4: Why wash hands/wear mask? https://youtu.be/FlcAvlt876Y

Part 5: I’m young! Why should I care? https://youtu.be/TDrEV_beY1U

Part 6: Can pandemics be stopped before they start? https://youtu.be/lgWnJZNYbFI

Part 7: Pandemic is not local, why wear a mask? https://youtu.be/IG3Sl3q-xH8

Part 8: Why does everyone need a flu shot this year? https://youtu.be/DGpBFj0fJkA

Part 9: What is the science behind a vaccine? https://youtu.be/eQ3FclkYaQo

Part 10: Where can I find accurate information? https://youtu.be/pLMlU5Xnkgo

Part 11: What type of mask should I wear? https://youtu.be/gCFHxQvkVYE

Part 12: Why HUGE COVID-19 spikes in Wisconsin? https://youtu.be/OuqmXvrDApY

Part 13: Fall break, protect yourself & others https://youtu.be/h21Ed_bBTE4

Part 14: Why is COVID-19 Testing so Important? https://youtu.be/Fr9VJZZrTE0

Part 15: What are COVID-19 Antibodies? https://youtu.be/J2lfJzoUEHI

Part 16: Will the vaccine protect against new COVID-19 variants? https://youtu.be/5l58jEZv3NQ

Part 17: Vaccine myths vs reality https://youtu.be/bGqLsRRbzVk

Part 18: What is long-hauler syndrome? https://youtu.be/f11b8nFpJiE

Part 19: Spring break, protect yourself against variants https://youtu.be/15ifuIosz2c

Part 20: Vaccine Side Effects https://youtu.be/7n3touy2PUY

Part 21: I’m young, why get vaccinated? https://youtu.be/F3KaBpSUpGo

Part 22: Variants and eased restrictions concern https://youtu.be/Xlt0VsxO-UA

Part 23: Delta Variant, protect yourself and others https://youtu.be/NtDJb2i_8Yg

Part 24: FDA full approval of Pfizer vaccine https://youtu.be/kMtIs0VxIbg