is the brand name of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

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COMIRNATY, COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5, and COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5

COMIRNATY:
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

COMIRNATY is used to prevent COVID-19 disease caused by the
SARS-CoV-2 virus in people 6 months of age and older.

COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5, can be given
to people 6 months of age and older.

COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5 is used to prevent COVID-19 disease caused by
the SARS-CoV-2 virus in people 6 months of age and older.

COMIRNATY is used to prevent
COVID-19 disease caused by the
SARS-CoV-2 virus in people 6 months of age and older.

COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5, can be given to people 6 months of age and older.

COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5 is used to prevent COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in people 6 months of age and older.

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Number of patients vaccinated around the world

BioNTech’s research of mRNA 

Pfizer’s history in developing vaccines 

COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5

COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5

COMIRNATY 

How does it work?

Safety information

Number of individuals vaccinated around the world

60+ million

doses in Canada

Over 60 million doses have been administered in Canada, including nearly
2 million
doses given to children aged 5 to 11.

11+ million

booster doses in Canada

Over 11 million booster doses have been administered to people 5 years and older
who have completed their primary series.

2.5+ billion

doses worldwide

Around the world, more than 2.5 billion
doses have been given – and those numbers continue to increase.

Pfizer partnered with BioNTech due to this company's dedication to scientific innovation and leadership, and its rich history of mRNA vaccine research. While clinical studies for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine began in 2020, BioNTech had been working with the mRNA technology for more than 20 years.

BioNTech’s research of messenger RNA (mRNA)

Jan. 2020

Genetic sequencing of the virus
​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Start of global development program

Apr. 2020

Phase 1/2 studies

Jul. 2020

Phase 2/3 studies

Dec. 2020

Authorization
for use

 

Ongoing studies

Pfizer's history in developing vaccines

Pfizer is committed to bringing patients timely access to quality healthcare through innovative medicines backed by strong science and supportive patient experiences. 

COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5 

What is COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5 used for?

COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5 is a vaccine used to prevent COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can be given to people 6 months of age and older.

How is the vaccine given?​

Ages 5 and up

COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5 is injected into a muscle of your upper arm.

You will receive 1 injection, regardless of whether you have received a COVID-19 vaccine before.

If you were previously vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, you should not receive a dose of COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5 until at least 3 to 6 months after the most recent dose.

       (6 to <12 months)
             (≥1 year)

Ages 6 months to <5 years

COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5 is injected into a muscle of your child’s thigh or upper arm.

If your child has not completed a COVID-19 primary vaccination course or has not been infected by COVID-19 in the past, your child will receive a maximum of 3 injections (the total number of doses required as the primary course). It is recommended to receive the second dose 3 weeks after the first dose followed by a third dose at least 8 weeks after the second dose to complete the primary course. If your child has started a primary vaccination course with COMIRNATY or COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5, they may complete the primary vaccination course with COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5.

If your child has previously completed a COVID-19 primary vaccination course or has had COVID-19, your child will receive 1 injection. If your child was previously vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, your child should not receive a dose of COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5 until at least 3 months after the most recent dose.

COMIRNATY Original &
Omicron BA.4/BA.5

What is COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 used for?

COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 is the latest Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent vaccine. It can be given to people 5 years of age and older.

How is the vaccine given?

Ages 5 and up

COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 is injected into a muscle of your/your child’s upper arm.

For people 5 years of age and older, the recommended primary dose schedule is 2 injections given 3 weeks apart. However, the time between doses may differ depending on the vaccination protocol in your province. 

People 5 to <12 years of age may be given a booster dose at least 6 months after completion of the primary series and/or a previous booster dose of COMIRNATY. Those 12 years of age and older may be given a booster dose at least 3 to 6 months after completion of the primary series and/or a previous booster dose of COMIRNATY.

       (6 to <12 months)
             (≥1 year)

Ages 6 months and up

COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 is injected into a muscle of the thigh in children 6 months to <12 months of age, and into a muscle of the upper arm or thigh in children ≥1 year to <5 years.

For people 6 months to <5 years of age the recommended primary dose schedule is 3 injections. The second dose should be given 3 weeks after the first, followed by a third dose at least 8 weeks after the second.

COMIRNATY 

What is COMIRNATY used for?

COMIRNATY is a vaccine used to prevent COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can be given to people 6 months of age and older.

How is the vaccine given?​

Ages 5 and up

COMIRNATY is injected into a muscle of your/your child’s upper arm.

The recommended primary dose schedule is 2 injections given 3 weeks apart. However, the time between doses may differ depending on the vaccination protocol in your province. 

In people who are immunocompromised, including those receiving immunosuppressant therapy, a third dose may be considered as part of the primary series, because they may have a diminished immune response to the vaccine. 

       (6 to <12 months)
             (≥1 year)

Ages 6 months to <5 years

COMIRNATY is injected into a muscle of your child’s thigh or upper arm.

COMIRNATY is given as an injection into a muscle of the thigh in infants from 6 to less than 12 months of age. In infants and children 1 year of age or older, COMIRNATY is given as an injection into a muscle of the thigh or into a muscle of the upper arm.

Your child will receive 3 injections. It is recommended to receive the second dose of the same vaccine 3 weeks after the first dose, followed by a third dose at least 8 weeks after the second dose to complete the vaccination series. The amount of vaccine for children 6 months to <5 years is 1/10 of the dose for adults (3 mcg vs. 30 mcg). 

If your child will turn from 4 years to 5 years of age between their doses in the vaccination series, they should receive their age-appropriate dose at the time of the vaccination. The interval between doses is determined by your child’s age at the start of the vaccination series.

How important is it to complete the primary series?

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) notes that COMIRNATY is efficacious against symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 disease when provided as a two-dose schedule (for individuals 5 years of age and older).

How important is it to complete the primary series?  

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) notes that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is efficacious against symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 disease when provided as a two-dose schedule.

It is very important that you return for all subsequent doses of the vaccine.

The vaccine may not work as well if you do not receive all doses, as recommended.

Get more information about the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s recommendations.
You can schedule your next appointment here
  • How does it work?
  • Safety information

COMIRNATY helps our body produce an immune response to help protect us from the COVID-19 virus. While the vaccine uses the genetic code of a part of the virus, you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

As with any vaccine, COMIRNATY may not fully protect all those who receive it.

COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5, COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 and COMIRNATY should not be used if you/your child have had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose, or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.

If you/your child have any symptoms that could be due to COVID-19, talk with your healthcare professional about your symptoms and getting a COVID-19 test. Your healthcare professional will advise you when you are able to receive the vaccine.

Before getting the vaccine, talk to your healthcare professional if you/your child:

  • have had any problems following previous administration of COMIRNATY, COMIRNATY Original/Omicron BA.1 or COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 such as an allergic reaction or breathing problems.
  • have allergies.
  • have a weakened immune system due to a medical condition or are on a medicine that affects your immune system.
  • have previously had episodes of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and/or pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart).
  • are feeling nervous about the vaccination process or have ever fainted in association with an injection.
  • have a bleeding problem, bruise easily, or use a blood-thinning medication.
  • are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.
  • are breastfeeding.

Please note
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include: pain/tenderness and swelling at injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, and diarrhea; injection-site redness in children 6 months to <12 years, and irritability and decreased appetite in infants 6 months to <2 years. Common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 100 and up to 1 in 10 people) include: injection-site redness, nausea, and vomiting; rash in infants 6 months to <2 years, and enlarged lymph nodes in people receiving COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 and COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5 (more frequently observed after a booster dose). Uncommon side effects (may affect more than 1 in 1000 and up to 1 in 100 people) include: enlarged lymph nodes in people receiving COMIRNATY, feeling unwell, arm pain, feeling weak or lack of energy/sleepy, decreased appetite, excessive sweating and night sweats. Non-severe allergic reactions (such as rash, itching, hives or swelling of the face), severe allergic reactions, facial paralysis/Bell’s palsy, erythema multiforme (skin reaction or lesion; red spots or patches), hypoesthesia (reduced or loss of sensation) and paresthesia (“tingling sensation”) have been reported. Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and/or pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart) have been reported following COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5, COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 and COMIRNATY administration. There is a remote chance that COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5, COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 and COMIRNATY could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of COMIRNATY Omicron XBB.1.5, COMIRNATY Original & Omicron BA.4/BA.5 or COMIRNATY. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received your vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Should you/your child develop any serious symptoms or symptoms that could be an allergic reaction, seek medical attention right away. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives (bumps on the skin that are often very itchy), swelling of the face, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness and weakness.

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