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1 Revised: 22September 2021VACCINE INFORMA TION FACT SHEET FOR REC IPIENTS AND CA REGIVERS
ABOUT COMIRNA TY (COVID -19 VA CCINE, mRNA )
ANDPFIZER -BIONTECH COVID -19 VACCINE TO PREVENT CORONA VIRUS
DISEA SE 2019 (COVID -19)
You are being offered either COMIRNA TY (COVID -19 Vaccine, mRNA ) or the
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID- 19 Vaccine to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID -19)caused by S ARS -CoV-2.
This Vaccine Information Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers comprises the
Fact Sheet for the authorized Pfizer -BioNTech COVID- 19 Vaccine and also
includes information about the FDA -licensed vaccine, COMIRNA TY (COVID -19
Vaccine, mRNA ).
The FDA -approved COMIRNA TY (COVID -19 Vaccine, mRNA ) and the
FDA-authorized Pfizer- BioNTech COVID -19 Vaccine under Emergency Use
Authorization (EUA ) have the same formulation and can be used interchangeably
to provide the COVID -19 vaccination series.[1]
COMIRNA TY (COVID -19 Vaccine, mRNA ) is an FDA -approved COVID -19
vaccine made by Pfizer for BioNTech .It is approved as a 2 -dose series for
prevention of COVID -19 in individuals 16 years of age and older. It is also
authorized under EUA to provide :
a two-dose primary series in individuals 12 through 15 y ears;
a third primary series dose inindividuals 12 years of age and older who
have been determined to have certain kinds of immunocompromise ;
and
a single booster dose in individuals :
o 65 years of age and older
o 18 through 64 y ears of age at high risk of severe COVID- 19
o 18 through 64 y ears of age whose frequent institutional or
occupational exposure to SA RS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of
serious complications of COVID -19 including severe COVID -19
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID- 19 Vaccine has received EUA from FDA to
provide :
a two-dose primary series in individuals 12 y ears of age and older ;
a third primary series dose forindividuals 12 years of age and older
who have been determined to have certain kinds of
immunocompromise ; and
a single booster dose in individuals:
o65 years of age and older
[1]The licensed vaccine has the same formulation as the EUA -authorized vaccine and the products can
be used interchangeably to provide the vaccination series without presenting any safety or effectiveness
concerns . The products are legally distinct with certain differences that do not impact safety or
effectiveness.
FDA-CBER-2021-5683-0952165
2 Revised: 22September 2021o18 through 64 y ears of age at high risk of severe COVID- 19
o18 through 64 y ears of age whose frequent institutional or
occupational exposure to SA RS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of
serious complications of COVID -19 including severe COVID -19
This Vaccine Information Fact Sheet contains information to help you understand the
risks and benefits of COMIRNATY (COVID -19 Vaccine, mRNA) and the
Pfizer -BioNTech COVID -19 Vaccine , which you may receive because there is currently
a pandemic of COVID -19.Talk to your vaccination provider if you have questions.
This Fact Sheet may have been updated. For the most recent Fact Sheet, please see
www.cvdvaccine.com .
WHA T YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET THIS VA CCINE
WHA T IS COVID -19?
COVID -19 disease is caused by a coronavirus called SARS -CoV-2. You can get
COVID -19 through contact with another person who has the virus. It is predomina ntly a
respiratory illness that can affect other organs. People with COVID -19 have had a wide
range of symptoms reported , ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness leading to
death . Symptoms may appear 2 to 14days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may
include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle or body aches;
headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore th roat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or
vomiting; diarrhea.
WHA T IS COMIRNA TY (COVID -19VACCINE, mRNA ) AND HOW IS IT RELA TED TO
THE PFIZER -BIONTECH COVID -19 VACCINE ?
COMIRNATY (COVID -19 Vaccine, mRNA) and the Pfizer -BioNTech COVID -19 Vaccine
have the same formulation and can be used interchangeably to provide the COVID -19
vaccination series.1
For more information on EUA, see the “ What is an Emergency Use A uthorization
(EUA )?” section at the end of this Fact Sheet.
WHA T SHOULD YOU MENTION TO YOUR VACCINA TION PROVIDER BEFORE
YOU 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
1The licensed vaccine has the same fo rmulation as the EUA -authorized vaccine and the products can be
used interchangeably to provide the vaccination series without presenting any safety or effectiveness
concerns . The products are legally distinct with certain differences that do not impact sa fety or
effectiveness .
FDA-CBER-2021-5683-0952166
3 Revised: 22September 2021have 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 IS THE VA CCINE GIVEN?
Thevaccine will be given to you as an injection into the muscle.
Primary Series: The v accine isadministered as a 2- dose series , 3 weeks apart. Athird
dose may be administered at least 4 weeks after the second dose toindividuals who
are determined to have certain kinds of immunocompromise.
Booster Dose: Asingle booster dose ofthe vaccine may be administered to individuals :
65years of age and older
18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID -19
18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure
to SARS -CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID -19
including severe COVID -19
The v accine may not protect everyone .
WHO SHOULD NOT GET THE VACCINE ?
You should not get the v accine 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 .
WHA T ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN THE VAC CINE?
The v accine include sthe 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 chol esterol), potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium
chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose.
HAS THE VACCINE BEEN USED BEFORE?
Yes. In clinical trials, approximately 23,000 individuals 12years of age and older have
received at least 1dose ofthe v accine. Data from these clinical trials supported the
Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer -BioNTech COVID -19 Vaccine and the
approval of COMIRNATY (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA). Millions of individuals have
received the vaccineunder EUA since December 11, 2020.
FDA-CBER-2021-5683-0952167
4 Revised: 22September 2021WHA T ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE VACCINE ?
The v accine has been shown to prevent COVID -19.
The duration of protection against COVID- 19 is currently unknown.
WHA T 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 one 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 thevaccine.
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
thevaccine:
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Feelings of having a fast -beating, fluttering, or pounding heart
Side effects that have been reported with the v accine 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 appet ite
diarrhea
FDA-CBER-2021-5683-0952168
5 Revised: 22September 2021vomiting
arm pain
fainting in association with injection of the vaccine
These may not be all the possible side effects of the v accine . Serious and unexpected
side effects may occur . The possible side effects of the vaccine are still being studied in
clinical trials.
WHA T SHOULD I DO A BOUT SIDE EFFECTS?
If you experience a severe allergic reaction, 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). Th e VAERS toll -free number is 1 -800-822-7967 or report online to
https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please include either “COMIRNATY (COVID -19
Vaccine, mRNA)” or “Pfizer -BioNTech COVID -19 Vaccine EUA” , as appropriate, 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 Fax number Telephone number
www.pfizersafetyreporting.com 1-866-635-8337 1-800-438-1985
You may also be given an option to enroll in v-safe. V -safe is a new voluntary
smartphone -based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to check in with
people who have been vaccinated to identify potential side effects after COVID -19
vaccination. V-safe asks questions that help CDC monitor the safety of COV ID-19
vaccines. V-safe also provides second-dose reminders if needed and live telephone
follow -up by CDC if participants report a significant health impact following COVID- 19
vaccination. For more information on how to sign up, visit: www.cdc.gov/vsaf e.
WHA T IF I DECIDE NOT TO GET COMIRNATY (COVID -19 VA CCINE, mRNA ) OR
THE PFIZER -BIONTECH COVID -19 VA CCINE?
Under the EUA, i t is your choice to receive or not receive the vaccine. Should you
decide not to receive it, it will not change your standard medical care.
ARE OTHER CHOICES A VAILABLE FOR PREVENTING COVID -19 BESIDES
COMIRNA TY (COVID -19 VA CCINE, mRNA ) OR PFIZER -BIONTECH COVID -19
VACCINE ?
Other vaccines to prevent COVID -19may be available under Emergency Use
Authorization .
FDA-CBER-2021-5683-0952169
6 Revised: 22September 2021CAN I RECEIVE THE COMIRNA TY (COVID -19 VA CCINE, mRNA ) OR PFIZER -
BIONTECH COVID -19 VACCINE AT THE SAME TIME AS OTHER VA CCINES ?
Data have not yet been submitted to FDA on administration of COMIRNATY
(COVID -19 Vaccine, mRNA) or the Pfizer -BioNTech COVID -19 Vaccine at the same
time with other vaccines. If you are considering receiving COMIRNATY (COVID -19
Vaccine , mRNA) orthe Pfizer -BioNTech COVID -19 Vaccine with other vaccines ,
discuss your options with your healthcare provider .
WHA T IF I A MIMMUNOCOMPROMISED?
If you are immunocompromised, you may receive a third dose of the vaccine. 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.
WHA T IF I A M PREGNA NT OR BRE ASTFEEDING?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding , discuss your options with your healthcare
provider.
WILL THE VACCINE GIVE ME COVID -19?
No. The vaccine does not contain SARS- CoV-2 and cannot give you COVID- 19.
KEEP YOUR VACCINA TION CA RD
When you get your first dose, you willget a vaccination card to show you when to
return for your next dose (s)of the v accine . Remember to bring your card when you
return.
ADDITIONA L INFORMA TION
If you have questions, visit the website or call the telephone number provided below .
To access the most recent Fact Sheets, please scan the QR code provided below.
Global website Telephone number
www.cvdvaccine.com
1-877-829-2619
(1-877-VAX-CO19)
FDA-CBER-2021-5683-0952170
7 Revised: 22September 2021HOW CA N I LEA RN MORE?
Ask thevaccination provider .
Visit CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019 -ncov/index.html .
Visit FDA at https://www.fda.gov/emergency- preparedness -and-response/mcm -
legal -regulatory -and-policy -framework/emergency -use-authorization.
Contact your local or state public health department.
WHERE WILL MY VACCINATION INFORMA TION BE RECORDED?
The vaccination provider may include your vaccination information in your state/local
jurisdiction’s Immunization Information System (IIS) or other designated system. This
will ensure that you receive the same vaccine when you return for the second dose. F or
more information about IISs visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/about.html .
CAN I BE CHA RGED A N ADMINISTRA TION FEE FOR RECEIPT OF THE COVID -19
VACCINE?
No. At this time, the provider cannot charge you for a vaccine dose and you cannot be
charged an out -of-pocket vaccine administration fee or any other fee if only receiving a
COVID -19 vaccination. However, vaccination providers may seek appropriate
reimbursement from a prog ram or plan that covers COVID- 19 vaccine administration
fees for the vaccine recipient (private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Health
Resources & Services Administration [HRSA ]COVID -19 Uninsured Program for non -
insured recipients).
WHERE CA N I REPORT CASES OF SUSPECTED FRA UD?
Individuals becoming aware of any potential violations of the CDC COVID -19
Vaccination Program requirements are encouraged to report them to the Office of the
Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, at
1-800-HHS -TIPS or https://TIPS.HHS.GOV .
WHA T IS THE COUNTERMEA SURES INJURY COMPENS ATION PROGRA M?
The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) is a federal program that
may help pay for costs of medical care and other specific expenses of certain people
who have been seriously injured by certain medicines or vaccines, including this
vaccine. Generally ,a claim must be submitted to the CICP withi n one (1) year from the
date of receiving the vaccine. To learn more about this program, visit
www.hrsa.gov/cicp/ or call 1 -855-266-2427.
WHA T IS A N EMERGENCY USE A UTHORIZA TION (EUA )?
An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) is a mechanism to facilitate the availability and
use of medical products , including vaccines, during public health emergencies, such as
the current COVID -19 pandemic. AnEUA is supported by a Secretary of Health and
Human Service s (HHS) declaration that circumstances exist to justify the emergency
use of drugs and biological products during the COVID -19 pandemic.
The FDA may issue an EUA when certain criteria are met, which includes that there are
no adequate, approve d, available alternatives. In addition, the FDA decision is based
on the totality of scientific evidence available showing that the product may be effective
FDA-CBER-2021-5683-0952171
8 Revised: 22September 2021to prevent COVID -19 during the COVID- 19 pandemic and that the known and potential
benefits of the p roduct outweigh the known and potential risks of the product . All of
these criteria must be met to allow for the product to be used in the treatment of
patients during the COVID -19 pandemic.
This EUA for the Pfizer -BioNTech COVID -19 Vaccine and COMIRNATY will end when
the Secretary of HHS determines that the circumstances justifying the EUA no longer
exist or when there is a change in the approval status of the product such that an EUA
is no longer needed.
Manufactured by
Pfizer Inc., New York, NY 10017
Manufactured for
BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH
An der Goldgrube 12
55131 Mainz, Germany
LAB
-1451 -10.0
Revis ed: 22 September 2021
Scan to capture that this Fact Sheet was provided to vaccine
recipient for the electronic medical records/immunization
information systems.
Barcode Date: 0 9/2021
FDA-CBER-2021-5683-0952172