Important Safety Information
Do not administer Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to individuals with known history of a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine.
Management of Acute Allergic Reactions
Appropriate medical treatment used to manage immediate allergic reactions must be immediately available in the event an acute anaphylactic reaction occurs following administration of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Monitor vaccine recipients for the occurrence of immediate adverse reactions according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines ().
Myocarditis and Pericarditis
Myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported following administration of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Postmarketing data with authorized or approved monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines demonstrate increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly within the first week following receipt of the second primary series dose or first booster dose, with most booster doses likely administered at least 5 months after completing primary vaccination. For the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, the observed risk is higher among adolescent males and adult males under 40 years of age than among females and older males, and the observed risk is highest in males 12 through 17 years of age. Although some cases required intensive care support, available data from short-term follow‑up suggest that most individuals have had resolution of symptoms with conservative management. Information is not yet available about potential long‑term sequelae. The CDC has published considerations related to myocarditis and pericarditis after vaccination, including for vaccination of individuals with a history of myocarditis or pericarditis ().
Syncope
Syncope (fainting) may occur in association with administration of injectable vaccines, in particular in adolescents. Procedures should be in place to avoid injury from fainting.
Altered Immunocompetence
Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Limitation of Effectiveness
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may not protect all vaccine recipients.
Adverse Reactions
Primary Series Adverse Events:
In a clinical study (10 mcg modRNA) in children 5 through 11 years of age, adverse reactions following administration of any primary series dose included pain at the injection site (84.3%), fatigue (51.7%), headache (38.2%), injection site redness (26.4%), injection site swelling (20.4%), muscle pain (17.5%), chills (12.4%), fever (8.3%), joint pain (7.6%), lymphadenopathy (0.9%), nausea (0.4%), rash (0.3%), malaise (0.1%), and decreased appetite (0.1%).
Booster Dose Adverse Events:
In a clinical study (10 mcg modRNA) in children 5 through 11 years of age, adverse reactions following administration of a single booster dose were injection site pain (73.9%), fatigue (45.6%), headache (34.0%), muscle pain (18.3%), injection site swelling (16.4%), injection site redness (15.6%), chills (10.5%), fever (6.7%), joint pain (6.7%), diarrhea (4.9%), lymphadenopathy (2.5%), and vomiting (2.4%).
Post Authorization Experience
Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and other hypersensitivity reactions (eg, rash, pruritus, urticaria, angioedema), diarrhea, vomiting, pain in extremity (arm), and syncope have been reported following administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported following administration of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Additional adverse reactions, some of which may be serious, may become apparent with more widespread use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
Before administration of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, please click to see
