Important Safety Information
Do not administer 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 the vaccine.
Monitor vaccine recipients for the occurrence of immediate adverse reactions according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines ().
Myocarditis and Pericarditis
Postmarketing data with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine demonstrate increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly within the period 0 through 7 days following the second dose of the primary series. The observed risk is higher among adolescent males and adult males under 40 years of age than among females and older males. 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 the vaccine.
Limitation of Effectiveness
The vaccine may not protect all vaccine recipients.
Adverse Reactions
Primary Series Adverse Events:
In a clinical study (10 mcg modRNA) of participants 5 through 11 years of age, adverse reactions following administration of any primary series dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine 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%).
In clinical studies (30 mcg modRNA) of participants 12 through 15 years of age, the most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥8%) were pain at the injection site (90.5%), fatigue (77.5%), headache (75.5%), chills (49.2%), muscle pain (42.2%), fever (24.3%), joint pain (20.2%), injection site swelling (9.2%), and injection site redness (8.6%).
In clinical studies (30 mcg modRNA) of participants 16 through 55 years of age, the most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥10%) were pain at the injection site (88.6%), fatigue (70.1%), headache (64.9%), muscle pain (45.5%), chills (41.5%), joint pain (27.5%), fever (17.8%), and injection site swelling (10.6%).
In clinical studies (30 mcg modRNA) of participants 56 years of age and older, the most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥10%) were pain at the injection site (78.2%), fatigue (56.9%), headache (45.9%), muscle pain (32.5%), chills (24.8%), joint pain (21.5%), injection site swelling (11.8%), fever (11.5%), and injection site redness (10.4%).
Post Authorization Experience
Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and other hypersensitivity reactions (eg, rash, pruritus, urticaria, angioedema), diarrhea, vomiting, pain in extremity (arm), syncope, and dizziness have been reported following administration of 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 the vaccine.
EUA Fact Sheet for Vaccination Providers
Full Prescribing Information
EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers