The Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine has not been approved or licensed by FDA, but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for use in individuals 12 years of age and older. The emergency use of this product is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564(b)(1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
Additional Information About the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine
Do not administer Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine to individuals with known history of a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any component of the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine
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-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine
Reports of adverse events following use of the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine under EUA suggest increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly following the second dose. The decision to administer the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine to an individual with a history of myocarditis or pericarditis should take into account the individual’s clinical circumstances
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
Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response to the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine
The Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine may not protect all vaccine recipients
In clinical studies, adverse reactions in participants 16 years of age and older included pain at the injection site (84.1%), fatigue (62.9%), headache (55.1%), muscle pain (38.3%), chills (31.9%), joint pain (23.6%), fever (14.2%), injection site swelling (10.5%), injection site redness (9.5%), nausea (1.1%), malaise (0.5%), and lymphadenopathy (0.3%)
In a clinical study, adverse reactions in adolescents 12 through 15 years of age included 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%), injection site redness (8.6%), lymphadenopathy (0.8%), and nausea (0.4%)
Following administration of the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine, the following have been reported outside of clinical trials:
severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and other hypersensitivity reactions, diarrhea, vomiting, and pain in extremity (arm)
myocarditis and pericarditis
Additional adverse reactions, some of which may be serious, may become apparent with more widespread use of the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine
Available data on Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine administered to pregnant women are insufficient to inform vaccine-associated risks in pregnancy
Data are not available to assess the effects of Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion
There are no data available on the interchangeability of the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine with other COVID-19 vaccines to complete the vaccination series. Individuals who have received one dose of Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine should receive a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine to complete the vaccination series
Vaccination providers must report Adverse Events in accordance with the Fact Sheet to VAERS online at https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. For further assistance with reporting to VAERS call 1-800-822-7967. The reports should include the words “Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine EUA” in the description section of the report
Vaccination providers should review the Fact Sheet for Information to Provide to Vaccine Recipients/Caregivers and Mandatory Requirements for Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine Administration Under Emergency Use Authorization
Before administration of Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 Vaccine, please see Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) including Full EUA Prescribing Information available at www.cvdvaccine-us.com
