What you need to know about the vaccine

Frequently Asked Questions



What Is Emergency Use Authorization?

According to the FDA, "During a public health emergency, the FDA can use its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authority to allow the use of unapproved medical products, or unapproved uses of approved medical products, to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases when certain criteria are met, including that there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives."

​​​​​​​Getting Your Vaccine

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What if I am immunocompromised?

According to the Emergency Use Authorization Recipients and Caregivers Fact Sheet (12 years of age & older), individuals 5 years of age and older with moderately or severely immunocompromising conditions may receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second primary series dose. The third dose may still not provide full immunity to COVID-19 in people who are immunocompromised, and you should continue to maintain physical precautions to help prevent COVID-19. In addition, your close contacts should be vaccinated as appropriate.​​​​​​​

What should I mention to my vaccination provider before I get the vaccine?

Tell the vaccination provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have any allergies
  • have had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart)
  • have a fever
  • have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
  • are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • are breastfeeding
  • have received another COVID-19 vaccine
  • have ever fainted in association with an injection
How many doses of the vaccine will I need?

The vaccine is given as a primary series and a booster dose.

You will receive either 2 or 3 doses of the vaccine to complete the primary series.

Some individuals are recommended to receive a booster dose after completing the primary series. Click here to learn more.

​​​​​​​Completing the Primary Series

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When do people 12 through 15 years of age receive their second dose of the vaccine?

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has received Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA to be administered to people 12 through 15 years of age as a 2-dose primary series given 3 weeks apart.

Select CDC Considerations for Intervals for mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series

The CDC has provided guidance that differs from the FDA-authorized primary series dosing interval above. On February 22, 2022, the CDC updated its Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines  for healthcare professionals to include consideration of an extended interval, up to 8 weeks, between the first and second doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary series schedule for people who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised. This applies to some people ages 12 years and older—especially males 12 to 39 years of age—as they may have a small but elevated risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC states that increasing the interval between the first and second dose of the vaccine may help reduce this risk, while also increasing vaccine effectiveness.

  • The CDC continues to recommend a 3-week interval between the first and second dose of the vaccine for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, adults ages 65 years and older, and others who need rapid protection due to increased concern about community transmission or risk of severe disease.

Your healthcare or vaccination provider will help you decide the timing of the second primary series dose that is right for you.

What if the second primary series dose cannot be provided at 3 weeks?

Per the Full EUA Prescribing Information, the second dose of the vaccine should be given 3 weeks after the first dose. For more information, contact your healthcare or vaccination provider to help you decide the timing of the second primary series dose that is right for you.

I've seen news reports that the CDC has provided guidance that people may wait a longer time between their first and second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Has the interval between doses changed?

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA to be administered to people 12 through 15 years of age as a 2-dose primary series given 3 weeks apart. This has not changed.

Select CDC Considerations for Intervals for mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series

The CDC has provided guidance that differs from the FDA-authorized primary series dosing interval above. On February 22, 2022, the CDC updated its Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines  for healthcare professionals to include consideration of an extended interval, up to 8 weeks, between the first and second doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary series schedule for people who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised. This applies to some people ages 12 years and older—especially males 12 to 39 years of age—as they may have a small but elevated risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC states that increasing the interval between the first and second dose of the vaccine may help reduce this risk, while also increasing vaccine effectiveness.

  • The CDC continues to recommend a 3-week interval between the first and second dose of the vaccine for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, adults ages 65 years and older, and others who need rapid protection due to increased concern about community transmission or risk of severe disease.

Your healthcare or vaccination provider will help you decide the timing of the second primary series dose that is right for you.

If I am immunocompromised, what should my Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine schedule be for primary series vaccinations and booster dose?

For individuals 12 years of age and older who have certain kinds of immunocompromise, the vaccine is FDA authorized under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) as a 3-dose primary series. The first and second dose of the vaccine should be given 3 weeks apart, and the third dose should be given at least 4 weeks (28 days) after the second dose. A first booster dose of the vaccine is FDA authorized to be given at least 5 months after completion of the 3-dose primary series. A second booster dose of the vaccine is FDA authorized to be given at least 4 months after the first booster dose.

Select CDC Considerations for Intervals for mRNA COVID-19 First Booster Dose in Immunocompromised

The CDC has provided guidance that differs from the above FDA-authorized first booster interval for immunocompromised individuals 12 years of age and older. The CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines  for healthcare professionals recommends that a first booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine be given at least 3 months after completion of the third primary series dose for people 12 years of age and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Your healthcare or vaccination provider will help you decide the timing of your first booster dose that is right for you.

​​​​​​​Knowing More About the Vaccine

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If I am immunocompromised and received 3 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine as part of my primary series, am I able to get a booster?

For individuals 12 years of age and older who have certain kinds of immunocompromise, a first booster dose of the vaccine is FDA authorized to be given at least 5 months after completion of the 3-dose primary series. A second booster dose of the vaccine is FDA authorized to be given at least 4 months after the first booster dose.

Select CDC Considerations for Intervals for mRNA COVID-19 First Booster Dose in Immunocompromised

The CDC has provided guidance that differs from the above FDA-authorized first booster interval. The CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines  for healthcare professionals recommends that a first booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine be given at least 3 months after completion of the third primary series dose for people 12 years of age and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Your healthcare or vaccination provider will help you decide the timing of your first booster dose that is right for you.

Is the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine the same as COMIRNATY®?

FDA-approved COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine FDA authorized for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for individuals 12 years of age and older can be used interchangeably by a vaccination provider when prepared according to their respective instructions for use.

Will the vaccine give me COVID-19?

No. The vaccine does not contain SARS-CoV-2 and cannot give you COVID-19.

What are the risks of the vaccine?

There is a remote chance that the vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to 1 hour after getting a dose of the vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received your vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling of your face and throat
  • A fast heartbeat
  • A bad rash all over your body
  • Dizziness and weakness

Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received the vaccine, more commonly in males under 40 years of age than among females and older males. In most of these people, symptoms began within a few days following receipt of the second dose of vaccine. The chance of having this occur is very low. You should seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms after receiving the vaccine:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

Side effects that have been reported with the vaccine include:

  • severe allergic reactions
  • non-severe allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face
  • myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
  • pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart)
  • injection site pain
  • tiredness
  • headache
  • muscle pain
  • chills
  • joint pain
  • fever
  • injection site swelling
  • injection site redness
  • nausea
  • feeling unwell
  • swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
  • decreased appetite
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • arm pain
  • fainting in association with injection of the vaccine

These may not be all the possible side effects of the vaccine. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. The possible side effects of the vaccine are still being studied in clinical trials.

What should I do about side effects?

If you experience a severe allergic reaction or other severe symptom, call 9‑1‑1, or go to the nearest hospital.

Call the vaccination provider or your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

Report vaccine side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1-800-822-7967 or report online to https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please include “Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine EUA” in the first line of box #18 of the report form.

In addition, you can report side effects to Pfizer Inc. at the contact information provided below.

Website: www.pfizersafetyreporting.com
Fax number: 1-866-635-8337
Telephone number: 1-800-438-1985

Who should not get the vaccine?

You should not get the the vaccine if you:

  • had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine
  • had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine

What are the ingredients in the vaccine?

The vaccine in the purple cap includes the following ingredients: mRNA, lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and cholesterol), potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose.

The vaccine in the gray cap includes the following ingredients: mRNA, lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and cholesterol), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, and sucrose.

The vaccine in the orange cap includes the following ingredients: mRNA, lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and cholesterol), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, sucrose and sodium chloride.

Is there preservative in the vaccine?

No, the vaccine does not contain preservative.

Are the components of the vaccine vial made with latex?

The vial stoppers are not made with natural rubber latex.

Was the COVID-19 vaccine studied in diverse populations?

We are committed to ensuring that underrepresented populations participate in all our studies by sharing with our investigative sites the importance of recruiting people who fully represent the racial and ethnic diversity of their communities.

Individuals 16 years and older:
Approximately 42% of overall participants in the clinical study of the vaccine have racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

PARTICIPANTS

OVERALL STUDY

Asian

4.3%

Black

9.1%

Hispanic/Latinx

28%

Native American

0.5%

50.6% of participants are male and 49.4% are female

Individuals 12 through 15:
Approximately 23% of overall participants in the clinical study of the vaccine aged 12 through 15 have racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

PARTICIPANTS

OVERALL STUDY

Asian

6.4%

Black

4.6%

Hispanic/Latinx

11.7%

Native American/Alaska Native

0.4%

50.1% of participants are male and 49.9% are female

Individuals 5 through 11:
Approximately 34% of overall participants in the clinical study of the vaccine have racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

PARTICIPANTS

OVERALL STUDY

Asian

6%

Black

6.5%

Hispanic/Latinx

21.1%

Native American/Alaska Native

0.7%

52.1% of participants are male and 47.9% are female

Where can I learn more?

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, please visit the CDC website.

Report vaccine side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and Pfizer Inc.

REPORT AN ADVERSE EVENT TO VAERS
REPORT AN ADVERSE EVENT TO PFIZER
Fact Sheet for Recipients & Caregivers (12 Years & Up) Fact Sheet for Recipients & Caregivers (5 Through 11 Years of Age)

Updates to non-English Fact Sheets may be delayed.

Español - EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients & Caregivers (12 Years & Up) Español - EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients & Caregivers (5 Through 11 Years of Age)

  • Patients should always ask their doctors for medical advice about adverse events.
  • You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Visit https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html or call 1-800-822-7967.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION/AUTHORIZED USES

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is FDA authorized under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 5 years of age and older.

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is FDA authorized to provide:

Primary Series
  • a 2-dose primary series to individuals 5 years of age and older
  • a third primary series dose to individuals 5 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise
Booster Series
  • a first booster dose to individuals 12 years of age and older who have completed a primary series with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA)
  • a first booster dose to individuals 18 years of age and older who have completed primary vaccination with a different authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. The booster schedule is based on the labeling information of the vaccine used for the primary series
  • a second booster dose to individuals 50 years of age and older who have received a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
  • a second booster dose to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise and who have received a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
COMIRNATY® INDICATION

COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) is a vaccine approved for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 16 years of age and older.

  • COMIRNATY® is administered as a 2-dose primary series
COMIRNATY® AUTHORIZED USES

COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) is FDA authorized under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to provide:

Primary Series
  • a 2-dose primary series to individuals 12 through 15 years of age
  • a third primary series dose to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise
Booster Dose
  • a first booster dose to individuals 12 years of age and older who have completed a primary series with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY®
  • a first booster dose to individuals 18 years of age and older who have completed primary vaccination with another authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. The booster schedule is based on the labeling information of the vaccine used for the primary series
  • a second booster dose to individuals 50 years of age and older who have received a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
  • a second booster dose to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise and who have received a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION

Emergency uses of the vaccine have not been approved or licensed by FDA, but have been authorized by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals 12 years of age and older. The emergency uses are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564(b)(1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

Emergency uses of the vaccine have not been approved or licensed by FDA, but have been authorized by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals 12 years of age and older. The emergency uses are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564(b)(1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

Emergency uses of the vaccine have not been approved or licensed by FDA, but have been authorized by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals 5 through 11 years of age. The emergency uses are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564(b)(1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

Emergency uses of the vaccine have not been approved or licensed by FDA, but have been authorized by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in either individuals 12 years of age and older, or in individuals 5 through 11 years of age, as appropriate. The emergency uses are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564(b)(1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

INTERCHANGEABILITY

FDA-approved COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine FDA authorized for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for individuals 12 years of age and older can be used interchangeably by a vaccination provider when prepared according to their respective instructions for use.

The formulation of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine authorized for use in children 5 through 11 years of age differs from the formulations authorized for individuals 12 years of age and older and should therefore not be used interchangeably. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine authorized for use in children 5 through 11 years of age should not be used interchangeably with COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Tell your vaccination provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have any allergies
  • have had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart)
  • have a fever
  • have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
  • are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects the immune system
  • are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
  • have received another COVID-19 vaccine
  • have ever fainted in association with an injection
  • Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) may not protect all vaccine recipients

  • You should not receive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any of its ingredients or had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY®

  • There is a remote chance that Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to 1 hour after getting a dose of the vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital
    Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
    • difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over the body, dizziness, and weakness

  • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received the vaccine, more commonly in males under 40 years of age than among females and older males. In most of these people, symptoms began within a few days following receipt of the second dose of the vaccine. The chance of having this occur is very low
    Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms after receiving the vaccine:
    • chest pain
    • shortness of breath
    • feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

  • Fainting can happen after getting injectable vaccines, including Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA). Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine

  • Some people with weakened immune systems may have reduced immune responses to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA)

  • Additional side effects include injection site pain; tiredness; headache; muscle pain; chills; joint pain; fever; injection site swelling; injection site redness; nausea; feeling unwell; swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy); decreased appetite; diarrhea; vomiting; arm pain; and fainting in association with injection of the vaccine

These may not be all the possible side effects of the vaccine. Call the vaccination provider or healthcare provider about bothersome side effects or side effects that do not go away.


  • You should always ask your healthcare providers for medical advice about adverse events. Report vaccine side effects to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1‐800‐822‐7967 or report online to www.vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. You can also report side effects to Pfizer Inc. at www.pfizersafetyreporting.com or by calling 1-800-438-1985

Vaccine Authenticity: What You Need to Know

Around the world, Pfizer and BioNTech are working in partnership with government agencies to safely and efficiently distribute the vaccine. There are currently no legitimate COVID-19 vaccines produced by any manufacturer that are available for purchase by individuals.

We urge everyone to be wary of any offers for COVID-19 vaccinations that do not come from an authorized source – meaning, from anyone other than a healthcare provider or local government health agency.

The vaccine:
  • Is NOT sold online. Any sales of COVID-19 vaccines over the Internet, including from online pharmacies, are not legitimate
  • Cannot be purchased in individual doses
  • Is not taken by mouth and is not available in a capsule or tablet form
  • Can only be administered by licensed healthcare professionals at government-authorized vaccination centers – such as doctors' offices, authorized pharmacies, outpatient clinics, community vaccination locations, and hospitals.

For more information

General Product Inquiries
Call 1-877-829-2619.

Medical Information
Visit PfizerMedicalInformation.com
or call 1-800-438-1985.

VISIT CDC.GOV*
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

*This website is neither owned nor controlled by Pfizer. Pfizer does not endorse and is not responsible for the content or services of this site.

Important Safety Information

Indication/Authorized Uses

Important Safety Information

Tell your vaccination provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have any allergies
  • have had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart)
  • have a fever
  • have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
  • are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects the immune system
  • are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
  • have received another COVID-19 vaccine
  • have ever fainted in association with an injection
  • Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) may not protect all vaccine recipients
  • You should not receive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any of its ingredients or had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY®
  • There is a remote chance that Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to 1 hour after getting a dose of the vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital
    Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
    • difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over the body, dizziness, and weakness
  • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received the vaccine, more commonly in males under 40 years of age than among females and older males. In most of these people, symptoms began within a few days following receipt of the second dose of the vaccine. The chance of having this occur is very low
    Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms after receiving the vaccine:
    • chest pain
    • shortness of breath
    • feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart
  • Fainting can happen after getting injectable vaccines, including Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA). Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine
  • Some people with weakened immune systems may have reduced immune responses to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA)
  • Additional side effects include injection site pain; tiredness; headache; muscle pain; chills; joint pain; fever; injection site swelling; injection site redness; nausea; feeling unwell; swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy); decreased appetite; diarrhea; vomiting; arm pain; and fainting in association with injection of the vaccine

These may not be all the possible side effects of the vaccine. Call the vaccination provider or healthcare provider about bothersome side effects or side effects that do not go away.

  • You should always ask your healthcare providers for medical advice about adverse events. Report vaccine side effects to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1‐800‐822‐7967 or report online to www.vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. You can also report side effects to Pfizer Inc. at www.pfizersafetyreporting.com or by calling 1-800-438-1985

Fact Sheets and Prescribing Information for individuals 12 years of age and older:

Fact Sheets for individuals 5 years of age and older:

Recipients and Caregivers Fact Sheet (5 through 11 years of age)
Recipients and Caregivers Fact Sheet (12 years of age and older)
COMIRNATY® Full Prescribing Information (16 years of age and older), DILUTE BEFORE USE, Purple Cap
COMIRNATY® Full Prescribing Information (16 years of age and older), DO NOT DILUTE, Gray Cap
EUA Fact Sheet for Vaccination Providers (5 through 11 years of age ), DILUTE BEFORE USE, Orange Cap
EUA Fact Sheet for Vaccination Providers (12 years of age and older), DILUTE BEFORE USE, Purple Cap
EUA Fact Sheet for Vaccination Providers (12 years of age and older), DO NOT DILUTE, Gray Cap

Indication/Authorized Uses

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is FDA authorized under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 5 years of age and older.

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is FDA authorized to provide:

Primary Series
  • a 2-dose primary series to individuals 5 years of age and older
  • a third primary series dose to individuals 5 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise
Booster Series
  • a first booster dose to individuals 12 years of age and older who have completed a primary series with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA)
  • a first booster dose to individuals 18 years of age and older who have completed primary vaccination with a different authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. The booster schedule is based on the labeling information of the vaccine used for the primary series
  • a second booster dose to individuals 50 years of age and older who have received a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
  • a second booster dose to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise and who have received a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
COMIRNATY® INDICATION

COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) is a vaccine approved for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 16 years of age and older.

  • COMIRNATY® is administered as a 2-dose primary series
COMIRNATY® AUTHORIZED USES

COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) is FDA authorized under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to provide:

Primary Series
  • a 2-dose primary series to individuals 12 through 15 years of age
  • a third primary series dose to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise
Booster Dose
  • a first booster dose to individuals 12 years of age and older who have completed a primary series with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or COMIRNATY®
  • a first booster dose to individuals 18 years of age and older who have completed primary vaccination with another authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. The booster schedule is based on the labeling information of the vaccine used for the primary series
  • a second booster dose to individuals 50 years of age and older who have received a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
  • a second booster dose to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise and who have received a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION

Emergency uses of the vaccine have not been approved or licensed by FDA, but have been authorized by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals 12 years of age and older. The emergency uses are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564(b)(1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

Emergency uses of the vaccine have not been approved or licensed by FDA, but have been authorized by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals 12 years of age and older. The emergency uses are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564(b)(1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

Emergency uses of the vaccine have not been approved or licensed by FDA, but have been authorized by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in either individuals 12 years of age and older, or in individuals 5 through 11 years of age, as appropriate. The emergency uses are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564(b)(1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

Emergency uses of the vaccine have not been approved or licensed by FDA, but have been authorized by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals 5 through 11 years of age. The emergency uses are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564(b)(1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.

INTERCHANGEABILITY

FDA-approved COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine FDA authorized for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for individuals 12 years of age and older can be used interchangeably by a vaccination provider when prepared according to their respective instructions for use.

The formulation of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine authorized for use in children 5 through 11 years of age differs from the formulations authorized for individuals 12 years of age and older and should therefore not be used interchangeably. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine authorized for use in children 5 through 11 years of age should not be used interchangeably with COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA).