NASHVILLE, Tenn. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on December 11, and mass distribution has already begun. Meharry Medical College (MMC) President and CEO James E.K. Hildreth, PhD, MD serves on the FDA Advisory Committee, and he appeared on the TODAY Show days before that happened to discuss the approval process and stress the importance of clear communication about the vaccine's effectiveness and safety.
The FDA will meet to discuss the potential approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine next week. @JamesEKHildreth of the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee says, if approved, we could see vaccination happening “as early as Friday of next week." pic.twitter.com/fkkUr2bK1L
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 5, 2020
About the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance
Founded in 1999, the Alliance bridges the institutions of Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Its mission is to enrich learning and advance clinical research in three primary areas -- community engagement, interprofessional education and research -- by developing and supporting mutually beneficial partnerships between Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the communities they serve. Through community engagement, the Alliance serves a large community of stakeholders including surrounding universities and colleges, community organizations, faith-based outlets and community health centers. Its interprofessional education enhances students' interdisciplinary understanding and improves patient outcomes through integrated care. The research conducted provides access to experienced grant writers and materials supporting the grant application process and facilitates grant-writing workshops.
