COVID-19 Vaccine mRNA-Pfizer

COVID-19 vaccine, MRNA-Pfizer is a prescription medication used as an active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019.

• COVID-19 vaccine, MRNA-Pfizer is available under the following different brand names: COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty.

Adult dosages

Injection, frozen suspension concentrate

• 30 mcg/0.3mL (multiple dose vial)
• 2-dose primary series: 0.3mL IMx2 doses administered 3 weeks apart
• Third dose for severely immunocompromised individuals: a third dose (0.3mL) administered at least 28 days following the 2-dose regimen

Booster dose:

• single booster dose 6 months after completing the primary series for certain adults:
  • Aged 65 years and older
  • Aged 18-64 years at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease
  • Aged 18-64 years 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

Pediatric dosages

• Injection, frozen suspension concentrate
• 30 mcg/0.3mL (multiple dose vial) 
• Approved for children 12 years of age or older
• 2-dose primary series: 0.3mL IMx2 doses administered 3 weeks apart
• Third dose for severely immunocompromised individuals: a third dose (0.3mL) administered at least 28 days following the 2-dose regimen

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See "Dosages."

Common side effects of COVID-19 vaccine, MRNA-Pfizer include:

• fever, 
• chills, 
• swollen glands, 
• pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, 
• nausea, 
• not feeling well, 
• tiredness, 
• headache, 
• muscle pain, and
• joint pain

Serious side effects of COVID-19 vaccine, MRNA-Pfizer include:

• hives, 
• itching, 
• confusion, 
• dizziness, 
• fainting, 
• vomiting, 
• diarrhea, 
• fast heartbeats, 
• wheezing, 
• difficulty breathing, 
• swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, 
• pale or clammy skin, 
• sweating, 
• feeling warm or cold, 
• anxious, 
• weakness, 
• lightheadedness, 
• slow heartbeats, 
• rapid breathing, 
• fever, and
• changes in vision or hearing

Rare side effects of COVID-19 vaccine, MRNA-Pfizer include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.  Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first

• No formal clinical studies of drug interactions have been conducted with COVID-19 vaccine, MRNA-Pfizer

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects.  Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drugs interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.  Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist.  Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns

Known history of severe allergic reaction to any component in vaccine. 

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity

Effects of Drug Abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using COVID-19 vaccine, MRNA-Pfizer?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using COVID-19 vaccine, MRNA-Pfizer?"

Cautions

• The appropriate treatment used to manage immediate allergic reactions must be immediately available if an acute anaphylactic reaction occurs following administration
• Syncope (fainting) may occur; procedures should be in place to avoid injury from fainting
• Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response
• May not protect all vaccine recipients
• Myocarditis and pericarditis
  • May increase risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly within 7 days following the second dose.
  • Males aged 12-17 years were at highest risk
  • Available data suggest that majority of symptoms resolved with conservative management
  • The CDC has published clinical considerations relevant to myocarditis and pericarditis with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Data is insufficient to inform of vaccine-associated risks in pregnancy. Please see CDC guidelines for vaccination of pregnancy or lactating females.  
• Unknown whether the vaccine is excreted in human milk.  Data are unavailable to assess the effects on breastfed infants or mild production/excretion.