When considering COMIRNATY for
someone you care for

Where can I get a vaccination appointment for COMIRNATY?

You can get a shot at a healthcare provider’s office, pharmacies, some hospitals, and health clinics throughout the United States.

You can also find and schedule a COVID-19 shot through our vaccine finder, if eligible. Talk to your doctor to help determine eligibility.

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Why is it important to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations in accordance with CDC recommendations?

The protection you get against COVID‑19 from previous vaccination decreases as time goes on, and as the virus that causes COVID‑19 evolves. This can leave you at increased risk for COVID-19. That's why getting this season's 2024-2025 COVID‑19 shot is one of the best ways to help protect yourself, and for your loved ones to protect themselves. To learn more about how our vaccine is given, see our Dosing Guide.

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What is the difference between an updated COVID-19 vaccine and a COVID-19 booster?

An updated vaccine is different than a booster dose of a vaccine. An updated vaccine contains an “updated” formula that is anticipated to help protect against the currently circulating strains of the virus that causes COVID-19. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are made using a process similar to previous vaccine formulas.

A booster dose of a vaccine is an additional dose of the vaccine you previously received. It is given to help “boost” your immune system. Think of it this way: an updated vaccine helps provide immunity against new variants, while a booster dose of a vaccine helps restore immunity against previous variants.

The 2024-2025 formula COVID-19 vaccines are called “updated” vaccines by the FDA, not “boosters” like previous vaccines, because they build a new immune response to variants that are currently circulating, instead of restoring immunity gained from a previous vaccine.

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Have the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech been studied?

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech have been rigorously tested in clinical trials.

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What should you tell the vaccination provider before you or your child get COMIRNATY?

Tell your vaccination provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• Have any allergies
• Had a severe allergic reaction after receiving a previous dose of any COVID-19 vaccine
• Have had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart)
• Have a fever
• Have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
• Are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
• Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• Have received another COVID‑19 vaccine
• Have ever fainted in association with an injection

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How do mRNA vaccines like COMIRNATY work?

COVID-19 vaccines help the body develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without having to get the illness. mRNA vaccines provide instructions to the body to make a protein found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. This triggers an immune response inside the body and trains the immune system to recognize and help fight the virus in the future.

Learn more about how COMIRNATY works.

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Why was COMIRNATY updated?

COMIRNATY was updated as recommended by the FDA to closely match circulating variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Due to the nature of mRNA design and production, COMIRNATY can be updated in a timely manner.

COMIRNATY is made the same way as previous formulas, with the difference only in the mRNA which encodes the viral spike proteins.

Learn more about how COMIRNATY works.

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Can COMIRNATY make you sick with COVID-19?

COMIRNATY does not contain SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. COMIRNATY cannot give you COVID-19.

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Can the mRNA vaccine technology change my DNA?

The vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.

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Were there clinical trials done for COMIRNATY?

Yes, multiple clinical trials contributed to testing COMIRNATY.

Learn more about the clinical trials here.

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What is known about the safety of COMIRNATY?

COMIRNATY has been tested in multiple clinical trials with a demonstrated safety profile. Serious risks can include severe allergic reactions, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart). Some people may faint after vaccination and people with weakened immune systems may have a reduced immune response.

Common side effects in people 12 years of age and older include pain, swelling or redness where the shot is given, tiredness (fatigue), headaches, chills, muscle and/or joint pain, and fever. Learn more about safety.

These may not be all the possible side effects of COMIRNATY. Ask your healthcare provider about any side effects that concern you.

The CDC, FDA, and other federal agencies continue to rigorously monitor the safety of COVID‑19 vaccines, including COMIRNATY, and share information with the public as it becomes available. Learn more from the CDC.

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Who should NOT get COMIRNATY?

You should NOT get COMIRNATY if you had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of any COMIRNATY or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines or to any ingredients in these vaccines.

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What are the benefits of COMIRNATY?

The FDA has approved COMIRNATY as a vaccine for use in people 12 years of age and older to help protect against COVID-19.

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