COVID

Comirnaty by Pfizer-BioNTech (COVID)

Captured 2023-03-05
Document Highlights

Initial U.S. Approval: 2021

COMIRNATY is a vaccine indicated for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 12 years of age and older.

There are no data available on the interchangeability of COMIRNATY with COVID-19 vaccines from other manufacturers to complete the vaccination series.

Postmarketing data demonstrate increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly within 7 days following the second dose. The observed risk is higher among 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… Information is not yet available about potential long- term sequelae.

Participants are being monitored for unsolicited adverse events, including serious adverse events, throughout the study [from Dose 1 through 1 month (all unsolicited adverse events) or 6 months (serious adverse events) after the last vaccination].

In analyses of all unsolicited adverse events in Study 2 from Dose 1 up to the participant unblinding date… Among participants 16 through 55 years of ageunsolicited adverse events were reported by33.8%in the COMIRNATY group and16.4%in the placebo group.

[In] participants 56 years of age and older… unsolicited adverse events were reported by28.6%in the COMIRNATY group and16.1%in the placebo group.

Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis) was reported…

[A]mong participants 12 through 15 years of ageserious adverse events… were reported by… 0.9%COMIRNATY recipients and0.2%placebo recipients.

Postmarketing Experience
myocarditis, pericarditis
– diarrhea, vomiting
– severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and other hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., rash, pruritus, urticaria, angioedema)
– pain in extremity (arm)

Available data on COMIRNATY administered to pregnant women are insufficient to inform vaccine-associated risks in pregnancy.

It is not known whether COMIRNATY is excreted in human milk. Data are not available to assess the effects of COMIRNATY on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion.

COMIRNATY contains 30 mcg of a nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2.

Each 0.3 mL dose… also includes the following ingredients: lipids [lipid nanoparticle / LPN*]… polyethylene glycol [PEG]… tromethamine… tromethamine hydrochloride…

COMIRNATY has not been evaluated for the potential to cause carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, or impairment of male fertility.

Comments

Placebo recipients in the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 BNT162b2 clinical trial began to be unblinded 6 months after Dose 2 was administered, upon being granted Emergency Use Authorization in December 2020.

The placebo used in Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 BNT162b2 clinical trials is stated to be saline.

*"Although the effects of LNPs on immune system cell activation have been investigated minimally..."

"Using influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 mRNA and protein subunit vaccines, we demonstrated that our LNP formulation has intrinsic adjuvant activity..."

"Comparative experiments demonstrated that this LNP formulation outperformed a widely used MF59-like adjuvant, AddaVax. The adjuvant activity of the LNP relies on... IL-6 cytokine induction..."

Source: Lipid nanoparticles enhance the efficacy of mRNA and protein subunit vaccines

This is the insert for the single dose preparation (gray capped vials). The insert for the multi dose (purple capped) vials is here.

Pfizer-BioNTech Emergency Use Authorization Full Prescribing Information