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FACT SHEET FOR RECIPIENTS AND CAREGIVERS ABOUT PFIZER-BIONTECH 

COVID-19 VACCINE (2023-2024 FORMULA) WHICH HAS EMERGENCY USE 

AUTHORIZATION (EUA) TO PREVENT CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) 

IN INDIVIDUALS 6 MONTHS THROUGH 11 YEARS OF AGE

Your child is being offered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 

Formula) to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the virus 

SARS-CoV-2. This Fact Sheet contains information to help you understand the risks 

and benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula), hereafter 

referred to as Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, which your child may receive

because there is currently a pandemic of COVID-19. Talk to your child’s vaccination 

provider if you have questions.

This Fact Sheet may have been updated. For the most recent Fact Sheet, please see 

https://www.covidvaxoption.com/. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use 

Authorization (EUA) to make the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine available during 

the COVID-19 pandemic (for more details about an EUA please see “WHAT IS AN 

EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION?” at the end of this document). The 

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is not an FDA-approved vaccine in the 

United States. Read this Fact Sheet for information about the Pfizer-BioNTech 

COVID-19 Vaccine. 

WHAT IS COVID-19?

COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. You can get COVID-19 

through close contact with another person who has the virus.

It is predominantly a respiratory illness that can affect other organs. People with 

COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported, ranging from mild symptoms 

to severe illness leading to death. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to 

the virus. Symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; 

muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or 

runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.

WHAT IS THE PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE?

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is a vaccine for use in individuals 6 months 

through 11 years of age to prevent COVID-191. The FDA has authorized the emergency 

use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine under an EUA. 

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may not protect everyone.

1 The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) encodes the spike protein of 

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant lineage XBB.1.5 (Omicron XBB.1.5).
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WHAT SHOULD YOU MENTION TO THE VACCINATION PROVIDER BEFORE 

YOUR CHILD GETS THE PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE?

Tell the vaccination provider about all of your child’s medical conditions, including if 

your child:

• has any allergies

• has had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis 

(inflammation of the lining outside the heart)

• has a fever

• has a bleeding disorder or is on a blood thinner

• is immunocompromised or is on a medicine that affects the immune system

• is pregnant

• is breastfeeding

• has received another COVID-19 vaccine

• has ever fainted in association with an injection

HOW IS THE VACCINE GIVEN?

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle.

Individuals 6 months through 4 years of age 

• Unvaccinated individuals: Three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

are administered over at least 11 weeks. The first 2 doses are administered 

3 weeks apart. The third dose is administered at least 8 weeks after the second 

dose.

• Individuals who have received 1 dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 

Vaccine (Original monovalent)2 or the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, 

Bivalent3: Two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine are administered. 

The first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is administered 3 weeks 

after the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Original monovalent) or the 

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent and the second dose at least 

8 weeks later.

• Individuals who have received 2 to 4 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech 

COVID-19 Vaccine (Original monovalent) or the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 

Vaccine, Bivalent: A single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is 

administered at least 8 weeks after the last previous dose of Pfizer-BioNTech 

COVID-19 Vaccine (Original monovalent) or the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 

Vaccine, Bivalent.

2 The Original monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine encodes the spike protein of only the 

Original SARS-CoV-2, no longer authorized for use in the U.S.

3 The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent encodes the spike protein of the Original 

SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 SARS-CoV-2, no longer authorized for use in the U.S.
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Individuals 5 through 11 years of age

• Unvaccinated individuals: A single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 

Vaccine. 

• Individuals who have received 1 or more doses of a monovalent COVID-19 

vaccine4 or a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine5: A single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech 

COVID-19 Vaccine is administered at least 2 months after the last previous dose 

of any monovalent COVID-19 vaccine or bivalent COVID-19 vaccine.

Immunocompromised individuals 6 months through 11 years of age

Additional doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered. For more 

information, talk to your child’s healthcare provider.

WHO SHOULD NOT GET PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE?

A person should not get Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine if they had:

• a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of any Pfizer-BioNTech 

COVID-19 vaccine

• a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in these vaccines.

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN THIS VACCINE?

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine contains the following ingredients: messenger 

ribonucleic acid (mRNA), lipids (((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-

hexyldecanoate), 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 

1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and cholesterol), tromethamine, 

tromethamine hydrochloride, and sucrose. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may 

also contain sodium chloride.

HAS THIS VACCINE BEEN USED BEFORE?

Millions of individuals 6 months of age and older have received a Pfizer-BioNTech 

COVID-19 vaccine under EUA.

In a clinical trial, approximately 1,200 individuals 6 months through 23 months of age, 

approximately 1,800 individuals 2 through 4 years of age, and approximately 

3,100 individuals 5 through 11 years of age have received at least 1 dose of the 

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Original monovalent). In another clinical trial, 

approximately 23,000 individuals 12 years of age and older have received at least 

1 dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Original monovalent). 

In clinical trials, 60 individuals 6 months through 4 years of age, 113 individuals 

5 through 11 years of age, 107 individuals 12 through 17 years of age, 103 individuals 

18 through 55 years of age, and 106 individuals greater than 55 years of age received a 

dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent.

4 Monovalent refers to a COVID-19 vaccine that encodes the spike protein of only the Original 

SARS-CoV-2.

5 Bivalent refers to a COVID-19 vaccine that encodes the spike protein of the Original SARS-CoV-2 and 

the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 SARS-CoV-2.
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The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is made in the same way as the 

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Original monovalent) and Pfizer-BioNTech 

COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, but it encodes the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron 

variant lineage XBB.1.5 (Omicron XBB.1.5).

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE?

FDA has authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to provide protection 

against COVID-19.

The duration of protection against COVID-19 is currently unknown.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE?

There is a remote chance that the vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A 

severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after 

getting a dose. For this reason, the vaccination provider may ask your child to stay at 

the place where your child received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs 

of a severe allergic reaction can include: 

• Difficulty breathing

• Swelling of the face and throat

• A fast heartbeat

• A bad rash all over the body

• Dizziness and weakness 

Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the 

lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received mRNA 

COVID-19 vaccines. Myocarditis and pericarditis following Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 

vaccines have occurred most commonly in adolescent males 12 through 17 years of 

age. In most of these individuals, symptoms began within a few days following 

vaccination. The chance of having this occur is very low. You should seek medical 

attention right away if your child has any of the following symptoms after receiving the 

vaccine, particularly during the 2 weeks after your child receives a dose of the vaccine:

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

Additional symptoms, particularly in children, may include:

• Fainting

• Unusual and persistent irritability

• Unusual and persistent poor feeding 

• Unusual and persistent fatigue or lack of energy

• Persistent vomiting

• Persistent pain in the abdomen

• Unusual and persistent cool, pale skin
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Side effects that have been reported with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines include:

• Severe allergic reactions

• Non-severe allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face

• Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)

• Pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart)

• Injection site pain/tenderness

• Tiredness 

• Headache

• Muscle pain

• Chills

• Joint pain

• Fever

• Injection site swelling

• Injection site redness

• Nausea

• Feeling unwell

• Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)

• Decreased appetite

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Arm pain

• Fainting in association with injection of the vaccine

• Dizziness

• Irritability

These may not be all the possible side effects. Serious and unexpected side effects 

may occur. The possible side effects are still being studied.

WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS?

If your child experiences a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest 

hospital.

Call the vaccination provider or your child’s healthcare provider if your child has any 

side effects that bother your child or do not go away.

Report vaccine side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System 

(VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1-800-822-7967 or report online to 

https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please include “Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 

Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) EUA” in the first line of box #18 of the report form.
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In addition, you can report side effects to Pfizer Inc. at the contact information provided 

below.

Website Fax number Telephone number

www.pfizersafetyreporting.com 1-866-635-8337 1-800-438-1985

WHAT IF I DECIDE NOT TO HAVE MY CHILD GET THE PFIZER-BIONTECH 

COVID-19 VACCINE? 

Under the EUA, there is an option to accept or refuse receiving this vaccine. Should you 

decide for your child not to receive this vaccine, it will not change the standard medical 

care.

ARE THERE OTHER VACCINES FOR PREVENTING COVID-19 BESIDES THE 

PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE?

Other vaccines to prevent COVID-19 may be available under EUA, including vaccines 

that encode the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant lineage XBB.1.5

(Omicron XBB.1.5).

CAN MY CHILD RECEIVE PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE AT THE SAME 

TIME AS OTHER VACCINES?

Data have not been submitted to FDA on administration of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 

Vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. If you are considering having your child 

receive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine with other vaccines, discuss the options 

with your child’s healthcare provider.

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS IMMUNOCOMPROMISED?

Immunocompromised individuals 6 months through 11 years of age may receive

additional doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (see HOW IS THE VACCINE 

GIVEN? above). 

Vaccinations may not provide full immunity to COVID-19 in people who are 

immunocompromised; therefore, your child should continue to maintain physical 

precautions to help prevent COVID-19. Your child’s close contacts should be vaccinated 

as appropriate.

WHAT ABOUT PREGNANCY OR BREASTFEEDING?

If your child is pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss the options with your child’s 

healthcare provider.

WILL THIS VACCINE GIVE MY CHILD COVID-19?

No. This vaccine does not contain SARS-CoV-2 and cannot give your child COVID-19.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have questions, visit the website or call the telephone number provided below.

To access the most recent Fact Sheets, please scan the QR code provided below.

Global website Telephone number

www.cvdvaccine.com

1-877-829-2619

(1-877-VAX-CO19)

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

• Ask the vaccination provider.

• Visit CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

• Visit FDA at https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcmlegal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/emergency-use-authorization.

• Contact your local or state public health department.

WHERE WILL VACCINATION INFORMATION BE RECORDED? 

The vaccination provider may include your child’s vaccination information in your 

state/local jurisdiction’s Immunization Information System (IIS) or other designated 

system. For more information about IISs, visit: 

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/about.html.

WHAT IS THE COUNTERMEASURES INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM?

The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) is a federal program that 

may help pay for costs of medical care and other specific expenses of certain people 

who have been seriously injured by certain medicines or vaccines, including this 

vaccine. Generally, a claim must be submitted to the CICP within one (1) year from the 

date of receiving the vaccine. To learn more about this program, visit 

www.hrsa.gov/cicp/ or call 1-855-266-2427.

WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION (EUA)?

The FDA has made Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine available under an emergency 

access mechanism called an EUA. An EUA is supported by a Secretary of Health and 

Human Services (HHS) declaration that circumstances exist to justify the emergency 

use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic. A product 

authorized for emergency use has not undergone the same type of review by FDA as 

an FDA-approved product.

FDA may issue an EUA when certain criteria are met, which includes that there are no 

adequate, approved, and available alternatives. In addition, the FDA decision is based 

on the totality of the scientific evidence available showing that the product may be 
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effective to prevent COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the known and 

potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product. 

All of these criteria must be met to allow for the product to be used under EUA during 

the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EUA is in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 EUA declaration justifying 

emergency use of this product, unless terminated or revoked (after which the product 

may no longer be used).

Manufactured for

BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH 

An der Goldgrube 12

55131 Mainz, Germany

Manufactured by

Pfizer Inc., New York, NY 10001

LAB-1572-2.7a

Revised: 11 September 2023

Scan to capture that this Fact Sheet was provided to vaccine 

recipient for the electronic medical records/immunization 

information systems.

GDTI: 0886983000585