August 27, 2021 — Yesterday, the Sikh Coalition hosted a Sikh medical professional and Sikh public school teacher for our latest Vaccine ਵੀਰਵਾਰ on Facebook Live, discussing back-to-school concerns amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 and older, making it the first vaccine in the United States to move beyond the emergency use authorization. Pfizer-BioNTech presented clinical trial data from 40,000 individuals showing that “the vaccine was 91 percent effective in preventing infection.” Full approval means that government entities, corporations, universities, and other organizations will increasingly be able to mandate vaccinations for staff and employees.
Review the latest guidance for gurdwaras, in light of varying vaccination rates and the continued spread of the delta variant, here. Public health officials continue to agree that vaccination remains the quickest way out of the pandemic for all of us, in terms of preventing severe COVID-19 infection, slowing the spread to those who cannot or will not be vaccinated, and limiting the development of new COVID-19 variants. You can find new and updated resources on our website at thesikh.co/vaccine.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.
The Sikh Coalition, the North American Sikh Medical and Dental Association (NASMDA), the Sikh Family Center, and the Jakara Movement, are collaborating to ensure that all Sikh Americans have access to information and resources regarding vaccinations for COVID-19. Please email community@sikhcoalition.org with any questions about this work, and always consult your doctor with specific inquiries about your personal health. For additional information, including where to get the vaccine in your state, visit thesikh.co/vaccine.
On September 24th, join us for our first-ever virtual legal conference, Realizing Justice For All. As our organization approaches a milestone anniversary since our founding in September 2001, we are partnering with Winston & Strawn LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP to host this conference for lawyers and law students to gain CLE accreditation while learning about the core civil rights issues facing Sikhs and other minority groups in the last 20 years.