FDA Gives Full Approval to Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine

The Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer Inc. PFE +3.37% and partner BioNTech SE BNTX +10.31% received full approval from U.S. regulators Monday, which many public health officials and vaccine experts hope will encourage hesitant populations to get the shot.

The Food and Drug Administration’s clearance of the shot for people 16 years and older is the agency’s first full approval of a Covid-19 vaccine. The decision was expected this week, The Wall Street Journal and other news outlets reported.

The vaccine was first cleared in December by the FDA on an emergency-use basis for people 16 years and older after the drugmakers showed...