Pfizer Applies For Full FDA Approval For Its COVID-19 Vaccine

WASHINGTON – Pfizer has become the first pharmaceutical company to ask the Food and Drug Administration for full approval of its COVID-19 vaccine.

Like Moderna and Johnson and Johnson’s vaccines, Pfizer’s COVID shot is currently being administered under emergency use authorization.

The company says it has already distributed 170 million doses of its vaccine, which is enough to vaccinate half that number of people.

Pfizer and Biontech have asked the FDA for priority review.

That process still takes six months after the agency receives all pre-clinical and clinical trial data.

At the same time, Pfizer is also applying to extend its emergency use to include children ages twelve to fifteen.

If the FDA approves that request, it would become the first vaccine available to people in that age bracket.