Hi and welcome to COVID Quickly, a scientific American podcast series.

This is your fast track update to the COVID pandemic.

We bring you up to speed on the science behind the most urgent questions about the virus

and the disease.

We demystify the research and help you understand what it really means.

I'm Tony Lewis.

I'm Josh Fishman.

And we are scientific American senior health editors.

Today, we're going to talk about the FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine.

Whether new reports of breakthrough infections mean vaccines are losing power.

And what you need to know about vaccine booster shots.

This week, the Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the Pfizer vaccine

for people ages 16 and older.

That moves the shot past its initial emergency use status and makes it like any approved

drug or vaccine.

Will the solid endorsement affect vaccination rates, Tonya?

It could affect them in a couple of ways.

A growing number of government agencies, cities and businesses have already started implementing

vaccine mandates.

For example, the U.S. military instituted a mandate for all active duty service members.

New York City is requiring all Department of Education teachers and staff to get vaccinated.

And lots of colleges and universities are implementing mandates too.

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