Pfizer-BioNTech seeks full FDA approval for COVID-19 vaccine

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced Friday that they’ve applied for full regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration for their COVID-19 vaccine for people 16 and older in the US.

The companies are the first COVID vaccine makers in the nation to apply for full approval, called a biologics license application, which would allow Pfizer to market the vaccine directly to consumers. It would also mean that the vaccine can continue to be sold after the US is no longer in an official state of emergency.