Vaccines have been around for a long time, and the science used to create the COVID-19 vaccines has been studied for years. While the COVID-19 vaccines are new, the science used to create them is not. The COVID-19 vaccines have been thoroughly tested to make sure they are safe and effective. The U.S. FDA approved the vaccines under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), meaning the vaccines were proven safe and effective. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for people 12 and older and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for people 18 and older have both received full approval from the U.S. FDA. The COVID-19 vaccines took much less time than normal to be released because they were manufactured at the same time as they were being studied and approved to save time. They still had the same strict safety measures and reviews as usual. No steps were skipped or shortened.