DeGette statement on FDA approval of first COVID-19 vaccine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations panel – which oversees the FDA – on the agency's decision today to grant an Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine:

"This a moment we have been waiting for. Having a vaccine approved for distribution here in the U.S. marks the beginning of the end of this dark chapter in our history. Our focus now must be to get this vaccine – and any others that are approved – out to as many Americans as we can, as safely and quickly as possible.

"While this is certainly a day to celebrate, it's also important to remember that we aren't quite out of the woods yet. While we work to get this vaccine distributed to more than 300 million Americans across the country, it's now more important than ever that we all continue to take the steps necessary to slow the spread of this virus and keep each other safe."