
Dilute


12 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER,
REFRIGERATED STORAGE TIME |
DOSE |
AMOUNT OF DILUENT PER VIAL |
DOSES PER VIAL |

If you are using vials of the vaccine with a purple cap (DILUTE BEFORE USE) presentation, DO NOT USE these instructions. Click here to see instructions for vials with a purple cap.
Dose preparation4
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The 12 years of age and older, DO NOT DILUTE (Gray Cap) presentation of the vaccine has a gray cap and contains a volume of 2.25 mL, supplied as a frozen suspension that does not contain preservative. Each vial must be thawed prior to administration. Do not dilute prior to use
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Vials may be thawed in the refrigerator [2°C to 8°C (35°F to 46°F)] or at room temperature [up to 25°C (77°F)]
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Refer to thawing instructions in the panels below
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One vial contains 6 doses of 0.3 mL
Administration4
Visually inspect each dose in the dosing syringe prior to administration. The vaccine will be a white to off-white. During the visual inspection:
-
Verify the final dosing volume of 0.3 mL
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Confirm there are no particulates and that no discoloration is observed
-
Do not administer if the vaccine is discolored or contains particulate matter
Administer the vaccine intramuscularly.
Extracting 6 doses4
12 years of age and older, DO NOT DILUTE (Gray Cap) presentation vials of the vaccine contain 6 doses of 0.3 mL of vaccine. Low dead-volume syringes and/or needles can be used to extract 6 doses from a single vial. If standard syringes and needles are used, there may not be sufficient volume to extract 6 doses from a single vial. Irrespective of the type of syringe and needle:
-
Each dose must contain 0.3 mL of vaccine
-
If the amount of vaccine remaining in the vial cannot provide a full dose of 0.3 mL, discard the vial and any excess volume
-
Do not pool excess vaccine from multiple vials


When prepared according to their respective instructions for use, the FDA-approved
Because of the potential for vaccine administration errors, including dosing errors,
For vaccination of individuals advancing into the next age group (4 years of age turning 5 years of age or 11 years of age turning 12 years of age) between any primary series dose, refer to the respective age-based Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers for instructions for administration.
Review the Product Safety Data Sheet for the vaccine. In the event of vial breakage, damage, or leakage, to prevent cuts and exposure to the vaccine, do not handle the vial with bare hands; wear protective gloves. Remove broken glass with forceps, tongs, or other appropriate tools. Dispose of the vial and vial pieces in a medical sharps container.
For children who will turn 12 between their first and second dose, see guidance from the EUA Fact Sheets, for Vaccination Providers and the CDC below.
Notwithstanding the age limitations for use of the different formulations and presentations according to the EUA Fact Sheets, children who will turn 12 between their first and second dose in the primary regimen may receive, for either dose, either:
- the 5 through 11 years of age, DILUTE BEFORE USE (Orange Cap) presentation (each 0.2 mL dose containing 10 mcg modRNA)
- the 12 years of age and older, DILUTE BEFORE USE (Purple Cap) presentation or 12 years of age and older, DO NOT DILUTE (Gray Cap) presentation (each
0.3 mL dose containing 30 mcg modRNA)
Regardless of whether the child received 10 mcg or 30 mcg as the first dose, the CDC states that if a child turns from 11 to 12 years of age in between their first and second dose, the second dose should be the Pfizer-BioNTech

12 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER, DILUTE BEFORE USE
REFRIGERATED STORAGE TIME |
DOSE |
AMOUNT OF DILUENT PER VIAL |
DOSES PER VIAL |
Dose preparation3
-
The 12 years of age and older, DILUTE BEFORE USE presentation of the vaccine has a purple cap and contains a volume of 0.45 mL, supplied as a frozen suspension that does not contain preservative. Each vial must be thawed before dilution
-
Vials may be thawed in the refrigerator [2°C to 8°C (35°F to 46°F)] or at room temperature [up to 25°C (77°F)]
-
Prior to dilution, the thawed suspension may contain white to off-white opaque amorphous particles
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The contents of the vial must be diluted with 1.8 mL of sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, to form the vaccine
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0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, is not packaged with the vaccine and must be sourced separately. Do not use bacteriostatic 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection or any other diluent. Do not add more than 1.8 mL of diluent
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After dilution, the vial contains 6 doses of 0.3 mL of vaccine
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After dilution, the vaccine will be an off-white suspension. Inspect vials to confirm that there are no particulates and no discoloration is observed
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Strict adherence to aseptic technique must be followed
Administration3
Visually inspect each dose in the dosing syringe prior to administration. The vaccine will be an off-white suspension. During the visual inspection:
-
Verify the final dosing volume of 0.3 mL
-
Confirm there are no particulates and that no discoloration is observed
-
Do not administer if vaccine is discolored or contains particulate matter
Administer the vaccine intramuscularly.
Extracting 6 doses3
12 years of age and older, DILUTE BEFORE USE (Purple Cap) presentation vials of the vaccine contain 6 doses of 0.3 mL of vaccine. Low dead-volume syringes and/or needles can be used to extract 6 doses from a single vial. If standard syringes and needles are used, there may not be sufficient volume to extract 6 doses from a single vial. Irrespective of the type of syringe and needle:
-
Each dose must contain 0.3 mL of vaccine
-
If the amount of vaccine remaining in the vial cannot provide a full dose of 0.3 mL, discard the vial and any excess volume
-
Do not pool excess vaccine from multiple vials


When prepared according to their respective instructions for use, the FDA-approved COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) and the EUA-authorized
Because of the potential for vaccine administration errors, including dosing errors,
For vaccination of individuals advancing into the next age group (4 years of age turning 5 years of age or 11 years of age turning 12 years of age) between any primary series dose, refer to the respective age-based Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers for instructions for administration.
Review the Product Safety Data Sheet for the vaccine. In the event of vial breakage, damage, or leakage, to prevent cuts and exposure to the vaccine, do not handle the vial with bare hands; wear protective gloves. Remove broken glass with forceps, tongs, or other appropriate tools. Dispose of the vial and vial pieces in a medical sharps container.
For children who will turn 12 between their first and second dose, see guidance from the EUA Fact Sheet for Vaccination Providers and the CDC below.
Notwithstanding the age limitations for use of the different formulations and presentations according to the EUA Fact Sheets, children who will turn 12 between their first and second dose in the primary regimen may receive, for either dose, either:
-
the 5 through 11 years of age, DILUTE BEFORE USE (Orange Cap) presentation (each 0.2 mL dose containing 10 mcg modRNA)
-
the 12 years of age and older, DILUTE BEFORE USE (Purple Cap) presentation or 12 years of age and older, DO NOT DILUTE (Gray Cap) presentation (each
0.3 mL dose containing 30 mcg modRNA)
Regardless of whether the child received 10 mcg or 30 mcg as the first dose, the CDC states that if a
child turns from 11 to 12 years of age in between their first and second dose, the second dose should be the
Pfizer-BioNTech
Ensuring the Authenticity of BioNTech and Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccines
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Pfizer is committed to patient safety and ensuring that people have accurate information about the vaccines, including how they are accessed and administered. We are actively monitoring for fraudulent offers of illegitimate vaccines to protect patients from products that might be dangerous and lead to serious and life-threatening harm
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The vaccines are only administered intramuscularly by a healthcare professional3,4
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The vaccines are not taken orally and are not available in a capsule or tablet form3,4
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Authentic vaccines, manufactured by Pfizer Inc., will include the Pfizer and BioNTech names on the label and are dispensed in a vial as follows:
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For 6 months through 4 years of age, DILUTE BEFORE USE, Maroon Cap vials, the vial label includes a maroon border646
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For 5 through 11 years of age, DILUTE BEFORE USE, Orange Cap vials, the vial label includes an orange border55
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For 12 years of age and older, DO NOT DILUTE, Gray Cap vials, the vial label includes a gray border44
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For 12 years of age and older, DILUTE BEFORE USE, Purple Cap vials. Two versions of the vial label are in current circulation - with or without a purple border33
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Ensure the safety of the vaccine vials by limiting access to only authorized personnel. The location they are stored in must be secure and locked when not in use.
To prevent counterfeits, discard vaccine vials in sharps containers and empty vial cartons as medical waste or deface or safely crush all materials so they cannot be reused. Remember, the vaccines are only available through government-authorized vaccination centers – such as doctor’s offices, authorized pharmacies, outpatient clinics, community vaccination locations, and hospitals. The vaccines can only be administered by licensed healthcare professionals, or other individuals that are approved vaccinators, at government-authorized vaccination sites. Individual doses are not for sale8,98,128,128,99,13
If you suspect the vaccine you have purchased may be counterfeit, contact us at
To learn more, visit https://www.pfizer.com/counterfeiting/frequently-asked-questions.
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COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA). Prescribing Information (12 years of age and older), DILUTE BEFORE USE, Purple Cap. Pfizer and BioNTech; July 8, 2022.
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COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA). Prescribing Information (12 years of age and older), DO NOT DILUTE, Gray Cap. Pfizer and BioNTech; July 8, 2022.
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Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Emergency Use Authorization Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) (12 years of age and older), DILUTE BEFORE USE, Purple Cap.
Pfizer and BioNTech; October 18, 2022. -
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Emergency Use Authorization Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) (12 years of age and older), DO NOT DILUTE, Gray Cap.
Pfizer and BioNTech; August 31, 2022. -
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Emergency Use Authorization Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) (5 through 11 years of age), DILUTE BEFORE USE, Orange Cap.
Pfizer and BioNTech; October 12, 2022. -
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Emergency Use Authorization Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) (6 months through 4 years of age), DILUTE BEFORE USE, Maroon Cap.
Pfizer and BioNTech; August 31, 2022. -
Data on file. Pfizer Inc. New York, NY.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Playbook for Jurisdiction Operations – September 16, 2020 Version 1.0. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2020.
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McCurry MC. Secure disposal of vaccine vials and packaging recommendations. US Department of Defense; 2020.