Business

Pfizer, BioNTech Seek Emergency Use of COVID-19 Shots in US

Published

6 years ago

November 21, 2020

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2020, file photo, an ad for COVID-19 testing reflects on glass at a bus stop, as pedestrians walk past Pfizer world headquarters in New York. On Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, Pfizer has asked U.S. regulators to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine, starting a process that could bring first shots as early as next month. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) – Pfizer formally asked U.S. regulators Friday to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine, starting the clock on a process that could bring limited first shots as early as next month and eventually an end to the pandemic — but not until after a long, hard winter.

The action comes days after Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech announced that its vaccine appears 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease in a large, ongoing study.

The companies said that protection plus a good safety record means the vaccine should qualify for emergency use authorization, something the Food and Drug Administration can grant before the final testing is fully complete. In addition to the FDA submission, they have already started “rolling” applications in Europe and the U.K. and intend to submit similar information soon.

With the coronavirus surging around the U.S. and the world, the pressure is on for regulators to make a speedy decision.

“Help is on the way,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert said on the eve of Pfizer’s announcement, adding that it’s too early to abandon masks and other protective measures. “We need to actually double down on the public health measures as we’re waiting for that help to come.”

Friday’s filing sets off a chain of events as the FDA and its independent advisers debate if the shots are ready. If so, still another government group will have to decide how the initial limited supplies are rationed out to anxiously awaiting Americans.

How much vaccine is available and when is a moving target, but initial supplies will be scarce and rationed. Globally, Pfizer has estimated it could have 50 million doses available by year’s end.

About 25 million may become available for U.S. use in December, 30 million in January and 35 million more in February and March, according to information presented to the National Academy of Medicine this week. Recipients will need two doses, three weeks apart. The U.S. government has a contract to buy millions of Pfizer-BioNTech doses, as well as other candidates than pan out, and has promised shots will be free.

Not far behind is competitor Moderna Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine. Its early data suggests the shots are as strong as Pfizer’s, and that company expects to also seek emergency authorization within weeks.

Here’s what happens next:

MAKING THE DATA PUBLIC

The public’s first chance to see how strong the evidence really is will come Dec. 10 at a public meeting of the FDA’s scientific advisers.

So far, what’s known is based only on statements from Pfizer and BioNTech. Of 170 infections detected to date, only eight were among people who’d received the actual vaccine and the rest had gotten a dummy shot. On the safety side, the companies cite results from 38,000 study participants who’ve been tracked for two months after their second dose. That’s a milestone FDA set because historically, vaccine side effects don’t crop up later than that.

“We’ll drill down on these data,” said FDA adviser Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Think of it like science on trial. A few days before the meeting, the FDA will release its own internal analysis. That sets the stage for the advisers’ daylong debate about any signs of safety concerns and how the new vaccine technology works before rendering a verdict.

They’ll recommend not just whether FDA should allow broader use of the vaccine generally but if so, for whom. For example, is there enough proof the vaccine works as well for older, sicker adults as for younger, healthier people?

There’s still no guarantee. “We don’t know what that vote’s going to be,” said former FDA vaccine chief Norman Baylor.

EMERGENCY USE ISN’T THE SAME AS FULL APPROVAL

If there’s an emergency green light, “that vaccine is still deemed investigational. It’s not approved yet,” Dr. Marion Gruber, chief of FDA’s vaccine office, told the National Academy of Medicine this week.

That means anyone offered an emergency vaccination must get a “fact sheet” describing potential benefits and risks before going through with the shot, she said.

There will be a lot of unknowns. For example, the 95% protection rate is based on people who developed symptoms and then were tested for the virus. Can the vaccinated get infected but have no symptoms, able to spread the virus? How long does protection last?

That’s why the 44,000-person study needs to keep running — something difficult considering ethically, participants given dummy shots at some point must be offered real vaccine, complicating the search for answers.

“I’m curious,” said Barry Colvin, 52, of White Plains, New York, who is taking part in that study at NYU Langone Health.

But he’s not in a great hurry to find out which group he’s in. “You need to hang in there for a while to understand and answer a lot of the other questions that remain unknown.”

Additionally at least for now, pregnant women won’t qualify because they weren’t studied. Pfizer only recently began testing the vaccine in children as young as 12.

A decision on Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine won’t affect other COVID-19 vaccine candidates in the pipeline, which will be judged separately.

MANUFACTURING

Brewing vaccine is more complex than typical drug manufacturing, yet the millionth dose to roll out of Pfizer’s Kalamazoo, Michigan, factory must be the same purity and potency as every dose before and after.

That means the FDA decision isn’t just based on study data, but on its determination that the vaccine is being made correctly.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine — and Moderna’s shots — are made with brand-new technology. They don’t contain the actual coronavirus. Instead, they’re made with a piece of genetic code for the “spike” protein that studs the virus.

That messenger RNA, or mRNA, instructs the body to make some harmless spike protein, training immune cells to recognize it if the real virus eventually comes along.

GETTING INTO PEOPLE’S ARMS

Another government group — advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — decides who is first in line for scarce doses. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said he hopes that decision can be made at the same time as FDA’s.

The Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed has worked with states to line up how many doses they’d need to cover the populations offered vaccine first.

Pfizer will ship those supplies as ordered by the states — only after FDA gives the OK.

Company projections of how much it will ship each month are just predictions, Baylor warned.

“It’s not like a pizza,” he said. Manufacturing is so complex that “you don’t necessarily end up with what you thought.”

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Central Florida Business Leaders Honored at 6th Annual Osceola Stars Awards

Published

20 hours ago

September 6, 2026

FNN NEWS

Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and Osceola Star Newspaper recognize entrepreneurs, business leaders and community champions at annual awards luncheon

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — Central Florida business and community leaders were recognized Thursday at the sixth annual Osceola Stars Awards, celebrating entrepreneurship, leadership and service across Osceola County and the region.

The Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando hosted the Sept. 3 awards luncheon in partnership with the Osceola Star Newspaper at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Conference Center.

About 200 guests attended the event, which honored individuals and organizations in four categories: Rising Star, Business Star, Community Star and All Star.

Four Osceola Stars Awards Presented

Osceola County Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington, Property Appraiser Katrina Scarborough, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Kelvin Soto and Sheriff Christopher Blackmon presented the awards.

Susana’s Café received the Rising Star Award, recognizing its continued business growth and community involvement.

AcuMed Group Wellness & Healing Skin Medical Aesthetics received the Business Star Award for its growth and commitment to community development.

Martin Levert, executive director of Northbridge University, received the Community Star Award for his leadership and community service, particularly during times of need.

Ana Karina Alejo, creative services director at Telemundo 31, received the All Star Award for her public service and work highlighting the contributions of Central Florida’s Hispanic community.

Ana Karina Alejo: Media Can Give Communities a Voice

Alejo said the recognition represented more than an individual achievement.

“Receiving the All Star Award is a deeply meaningful honor because it represents more than a personal achievement, it reflects the relationships, stories and communities that have shaped my career,” Alejo said in a statement.

She said she believes in using media to give a voice to people and organizations making a difference and expressed pride in highlighting Osceola County’s Hispanic community.

“This recognition inspires me to continue building bridges, championing Hispanic voices and using my platform to celebrate the people who make our community stronger,” Alejo said.

Brandon Arrington Highlights Role of Local Businesses

Arrington emphasized the importance of entrepreneurs and locally owned businesses to Osceola County’s economy and communities.

“Businesses and entrepreneurs are the fabric of Osceola County,” Arrington said. “They are our neighbors, our employers, and the people who invest their time and energy in making our community a better place.”

Arrington highlighted Dr. Cecilia Rusnak of AcuMed Group Wellness Center & Healing Skin Medical Aesthetics, saying recognition of Hispanic-owned businesses celebrates entrepreneurship and the role those businesses play in Osceola County’s continued growth.

Central Florida Business and Community Leaders Attend

The luncheon brought together business executives, elected officials and community leaders from throughout Central Florida.

Participants included Pedro Turushina, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando; Arnaldo Oliveras, chair of the chamber’s executive board; and Yanin Hansen, president and CEO of the Osceola Star Newspaper.

Premier sponsor AdventHealth was represented by Dr. Omayra Mansfield, chief medical officer at AdventHealth Celebration. Gold sponsor Orlando Health participated with a special video presentation.

Other sponsors and supporters included Northbridge University, Experience Kissimmee, IKEA and Orlando Venues. Media partners included Norsan Media, Univision Orlando, the Osceola Star Newspaper and WAPA Orlando 26.

Culture and Community Take Center Stage

Puerto Rican journalist and communications professional Neisha Molina, a digital content producer for Entravision US Media at WAPA Orlando 26, served as master of ceremonies.

The program opened with the presentation of colors by a U.S. Army color guard, followed by the national anthem performed by School of Talent LLC.

Guests also watched a performance by Mexico Danza Orlando, adding a cultural component to the business and community celebration.

The event concluded with a concert-ticket raffle.

Celebrating Central Florida’s Growing Hispanic Business Community

The Osceola Stars Awards are designed to recognize more than business growth. This year’s honorees represent entrepreneurship, community service, media leadership and civic engagement — areas that organizers say contribute to Osceola County’s continued economic and community development.

The partnership between the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and Osceola Star Newspaper also places the awards within the broader growth and influence of Central Florida’s Hispanic business community.

Business

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Brings 47th Annual National Conference to Fort Worth Sept. 14-16

Published

1 month ago

August 7, 2026

FNN NEWS

FORT WORTH, Texas (FNN NEWS) — The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will bring its 47th Annual National Conference to Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 14-16, 2026, convening Hispanic business leaders, corporate executives, policymakers and entrepreneurs from across the country.

The three-day conference will be held at the Fort Worth Convention Center and is expected to serve as a major national platform for business development, networking, economic opportunity and deal-making.

Nearly five decades after its launch, the USHCC National Conference has grown into what the organization describes as the nation’s largest gathering of Hispanic business decision-makers.

The selection of Fort Worth highlights the North Texas city’s growing position as a center for business, entrepreneurship and culture while providing a national stage for Hispanic-owned businesses and their economic impact.

Fort Worth Selected to Host 2026 National Conference

USHCC announced Fort Worth as the 2026 host following its 46th Annual National Conference in Atlanta.

“We are thrilled to bring the USHCC National Conference to Fort Worth in 2026,” said Jackie Puente, vice president of external affairs at Comcast and chairwoman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “This city showcases the innovation, diversity, and economic impact of Hispanic-owned businesses nationwide. At Comcast, we are proud to support the USHCC’s mission of opening doors and creating opportunities for our community to thrive.”

Fort Worth business leaders also welcomed the opportunity to host the national gathering.

“Fort Worth is proud to host the USHCC National Conference in 2026,” said Ericka Garza, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “This event highlights our city’s vibrant culture and the impact of Hispanic-owned businesses in driving economic growth.”

Connecting Hispanic Businesses With Opportunities

Connection building will be a major focus of the 2026 conference, with programming designed to bring business owners directly together with corporate executives, policymakers, industry leaders and potential partners.

Through curated networking opportunities and informal gatherings, participants will have opportunities to establish relationships that could lead to collaborations, contracts, partnerships and long-term business growth.

The conference also provides companies and organizations seeking to expand their engagement with Hispanic-owned businesses an opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs and business leaders from markets across the United States.

National Leaders Take the Main Stage

The conference’s main-stage sessions will feature influential leaders and nationally recognized voices discussing major issues affecting business, entrepreneurship and economic advancement.

Sessions are expected to provide perspectives on economic trends, public policy, market opportunities and emerging challenges facing businesses.

The discussions are designed to help entrepreneurs and executives better understand changing markets and position their organizations for future opportunities.

Breakout Sessions Focus on Business Growth

Attendees will also have access to industry-focused breakout sessions featuring subject-matter experts addressing specific business challenges and opportunities.

The interactive sessions are designed to provide participants with practical strategies, tools and information they can apply to their companies and organizations.

Topics and speakers for the 2026 conference are expected to be announced as the event approaches.

Hispanic Businesses Take Center Stage in Fort Worth

The conference comes as Hispanic-owned businesses continue to play an increasingly important role in entrepreneurship, job creation and economic development across the United States.

For Fort Worth, hosting the national conference provides an opportunity to showcase the city’s business community while connecting local entrepreneurs with corporate and government decision-makers from across the country.

47th Annual USHCC National Conference
Dates: Sept. 14-16, 2026
Location: Fort Worth Convention Center
City: Fort Worth, Texas

Business

Historic Casements to Debut Mateo Blanco’s ‘Rockefeller Flag’ During The American Legacy Exhibition

Published

1 month ago

July 30, 2026

FNN NEWS

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — The Casements, the historic Ormond Beach residence where industrialist John D. Rockefeller spent the final years of his life, will host “The American Legacy,” a new exhibition by American artist Mateo Blanco opening Saturday, Aug. 1.

The exhibition brings together painting and photography to explore themes of American history, material, memory, innovation and the ideas that continue to shape the nation’s identity during its Semiquincentennial.

Public Premiere of Rockefeller Flag

The centerpiece of the exhibition is the public debut of “Rockefeller Flag,” a new oil-on-canvas painting created exclusively for The Casements.

Rather than depicting Rockefeller himself, the work examines the relationship between industry, history and artistic tradition. Executed entirely in black oil paint on canvas, Rockefeller Flag draws its conceptual inspiration from petroleum—the natural resource that transformed American industry and helped redefine the modern world.

Blanco notes that petroleum also returns to its artistic origins through oil paint, the medium that has shaped Western painting for more than five centuries, creating an intersection between industrial innovation and artistic expression.

Installed inside Rockefeller’s historic residence, the painting encourages visitors to reflect not only on one of America’s most influential business leaders but also on the broader themes of vision, enterprise, stewardship and the legacy each generation leaves behind.

“For many people, The Casements represents the final chapter of John D. Rockefeller’s life,” Blanco said. “For me, it represents the beginning of another conversation—one about legacy. Every generation inherits ideas, opportunities and responsibilities created by those who came before. What ultimately defines us is what we choose to build with that inheritance.”

Museum Exhibition Highlights

The exhibition also features paintings previously exhibited at The Butler Institute of American Art alongside a curated selection of photographs celebrating the American landscape, its people and the cultural narratives that have shaped the nation across generations.

Together, the works represent one of Blanco’s most comprehensive museum presentations to date, combining painting and photography in a reflection on the American experience.

According to exhibition organizers, The American Legacy is intended as a cultural reflection rather than a political statement, highlighting creativity, craftsmanship, imagination, innovation and the enduring ability of individuals to transform ideas and materials into lasting contributions.

By returning petroleum to the language of oil painting, Blanco creates a dialogue between one of America’s defining industrial achievements and one of the oldest artistic traditions in history.

About Mateo Blanco

Mateo Blanco is an American multidisciplinary artist whose work explores material transformation, cultural memory and the evolving narrative of American identity. Working across painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media, Blanco examines how everyday materials become symbols of history, belonging and collective memory.

His work has been exhibited by museums and cultural institutions throughout the United States, including The Butler Institute of American Art, the Orlando Museum of Art, the Boca Raton Museum of Art, the Museum of Art – DeLand, the Armory Art Center, the Cornell Art Museum and the Brick Store Museum.

His artwork is included in the permanent collections of several American museums, reflecting continued institutional recognition of his contributions to contemporary American art.

Blanco is represented by Rosenbaum Contemporary, with gallery locations in Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Hollywood, Florida.