Some Coloradans Feel Reassured With New FDA Vaccine Approval, Others Still Skeptical – CBS Denver

AURORA, Col. (CBS4) – Increased vaccination coverage and company-determined vaccine requirements could be one of the ripple effects of the full FDA approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for Americans 16 and older. Experts say increased public confidence in the shot could also be a result as the Delta variant continues to spread across Colorado.

Among the crowd at a busy mobile vaccination clinic in Aurora, the reasons for getting the shot on Monday were different. For some, it was the chance to get a $100 Walmart gift card, and for others, the convenience of a clinic near their home, but for Nancy Griffin, it was a chance to pick up life again.

READ MORE: Loveland Police Department explains the role of mental health professionals in the ward

(credit: CBS)

I may want to go to a concert or maybe eat out or maybe go to another state and I don’t have to worry about that, Griffin said.

For months, Griffin was apprehensive about the vaccine and planned to wait for FDA approval, but a spreading Delta variant made her nervous. Earlier this month she decided to get her first injection.

[The vaccine] It seemed to come out so quickly and people were pushing and pushing, and I like to see some results, Griffin said. After the Delta variant came out and started hitting people really hard, little kids and things like that, I decided it was probably time to do it.

Now that Pfizer has that full approval, she’s more at ease. She heard the news on her way to the mobile clinic Monday morning.

It gives me a little satisfaction, she said. Does it make me 1000% wow Ill go with that they say? New.

READ MORE: Forced medication recommended for Danish suspect Jesper Joergensen in wildfire

John Rue also received his second shot of the Pfizer vaccine on Monday, but for a very different reason. He works as a service technician and said he wants to be ready for any vaccine requirements that could follow FDA approval.

That means a lot of overtime because there are other people who don’t get it, even for their own personal reasons, but yeah, it means a lot of work, Rue said.

(credit: CBS)

Whether more ghosts change remains to be seen. CBS4 spoke to several people who said they still won’t get the vaccine.

While no one agreed to an on-camera interview, they shared a wide variety of reasons, including a feeling that the approval was rushed. One man said he’d like to see more evidence, though he couldn’t say what that would look like, and others said they’ll never get it.

I’d much rather be respectful to others and get vaccinated for my family’s health, which is why I’m here, Griffin said.

MORE NEWS: Denver has nearly 80% COVID vaccination rate with at least 1 dose, 73% fully vaccinated

You have very smart people who do the things they need to do, and they know what to look for, so I’m going to rely on that and go from there.