Vaccine Holdouts in N.Y. Persuaded by FDA Approval, Mandates

Throughout the pandemic, Sharray Gray has been vigilant about wearing masks, using hand sanitizer and social distancing, even from her grandchildren. The 46-year-old Bronx resident has underlying health conditions, including asthma and kidney problems. Several of her friends and family members have died of Covid-19. Yet, for months, she declined to get a vaccine.

That changed this week, after the Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech SE shot.

“If it doesn’t get FDA approval, I’m not putting it in my body or my child’s body,” said Gray. The vaccine “came so fast. The government didn’t know what they were dealing ...