WASHINGTON - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval Monday to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in a fast-tracked eight months after emergency use authorization was given in December 2020.
A decision had been expected by January 2022 after U.S. regulators agreed to a "priority review" of Pfizer’s application in July, though many were expecting the decision to come much sooner given how closely the agency has been monitoring the vaccine’s widespread use.In a statement, the FDA called the approval a "key achievement for public health.""The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic," said acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock. "While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s.