Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Purple Cap) Age 12 and Over
Webpage content and individual PDFs are updated when there’s new guidance concerning the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Expand each section below to see a summary of new and updated items.
Vaccine: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (purple cap)
Diluent: 1.8 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline, preservative-free)
Discard vial when there is not enough vaccine to obtain a complete dose. Do NOT combine residual vaccine from multiple vials to obtain a dose.
Before administering vaccine, screen recipients for contraindications and precautions, even if the recipient is schedule to receive the second dose. The recipient’s health condition or recommendations regarding contraindications and precautions for vaccination may change from one visit to the next.
To assess recipients correctly and consistently, vaccination providers should use a standardized, comprehensive screening tool.
COVID-19 Prevaccination Guidelinespdf icon
Download a prevaccination checklist in multiple languages.
Arabicpdf icon, Daripdf icon, Englishpdf icon, French (Canada)pdf icon, Haitian Creolepdf icon, Koreanpdf icon, Pashtopdf icon, Portuguese (Portugal)pdf icon, Simplified Chinesepdf icon, Spanishpdf icon, Ukrainianpdf icon, Vietnamesepdf icon
COVID-19 vaccination providers must document vaccine administration in their medical record systems within 24 hours of administration and use their best efforts to report administration data to the relevant system for the jurisdiction (i.e., immunization information system) as soon as practicable and no later than 72 hours after administration.
Store vaccine in an ultra-cold freezer, freezer, thermal shipping container, or refrigerator.
See guidance below for each storage unit.
- Vaccine will arrive at a temperature between -90°C and -60°C (-130°F to -76°F) in a thermal shipping container with dry ice. The vial for people 12 years of age and older has a purple cap and purple border on the label.
- Diluent and an ancillary supply kits will arrive separately from the vaccine.
- Unpack the thermal shipping container following the manufacturer’s directionsexternal icon.
- Transporting The Vaccinepdf icon
- Transport Temperature Logpdf icon
- Storage and Handling Summarypdf icon
- Pfizer BUD Guidance and Labelspdf icon
- Storage and Handling Labelspdf icon
- Vaccine Expiration Date Tracking Toolpdf icon
- Freezer Storage Temperature Log (Fahrenheit)pdf icon (new)
- Freezer Storage Temperature Log (Celsius)pdf icon (new)
- Refrigerator Storage Temperature Log (Celsius)pdf icon
- Refrigerator Storage Temperature Log (Fahrenheit)pdf icon
- Ultra-Cold Vaccine Storage Temperature Log (Fahrenheit)pdf icon
- Ultra-Cold Vaccine Storage Temperature Log (Celsius)pdf icon
- Vaccine Storage Troubleshooting Record for Temperature Excursionspdf iconexternal icon
- Dry Ice Safetypdf icon
Adverse events that occur in a recipient after COVID-19 vaccination are required to be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). FDA requires vaccination providers to report vaccine administration errors, serious adverse events, cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome, and cases of COVID-19 that result in hospitalization or death after administration of COVID-19 vaccine under an EUA. Reporting is encouraged for other clinically significant adverse events, even if it is not clear that a vaccine caused the adverse event. Complete and submit reports to VAERS onlineexternal icon.
For further assistance with reporting to VAERS, call 1-800-822-7967.
Print informationpdf icon for your patients on common side effects, helpful tips, and when to call a doctor after a COVID-19 vaccination.
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