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Comirnaty LP.8.1 30 micrograms/dose dispersion for injection (frozen vials) – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Last updated: · Text from the MHRA, as of · About this document

Medicine status: ▼ Additional monitoring No longer supplied Details

Medicine strength:
30 micrograms/dose
Contains active substance:

Patient leaflet - Comirnaty LP.8.1 30 micrograms/dose Dispersion for injection

1. What Comirnaty LP.8.1 is and what it is used for

Comirnaty LP.8.1 is a vaccine used for preventing COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Comirnaty LP.8.1 30 micrograms/dose dispersion for injection is given to adults and adolescents from 12 years of age and older.

The vaccine causes the immune system (the body’s natural defences) to produce antibodies and blood cells that work against the virus, so giving protection against COVID-19.

As Comirnaty LP.8.1 does not contain the virus to produce immunity, it cannot give you COVID-19.

The use of this vaccine should be in accordance with official recommendations.

2. What you need to know before you receive Comirnaty LP.8.1

Comirnaty LP.8.1 should not be given

  • if you are allergic to the active substance or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before you are given the vaccine if:

  • you have ever had a severe allergic reaction or breathing problems after any other vaccine injection or after you were given this vaccine in the past.
  • you are feeling nervous about the vaccination process or have ever fainted following any needle injection.
  • you have a severe illness or infection with high fever. However, you can have your vaccination if you have a mild fever or upper airway infection like a cold.
  • you have a bleeding problem, you bruise easily or you use a medicine to prevent blood-clots.
  • you have a weakened immune system, because of a disease such as HIV infection or a medicine such as corticosteroid that affects your immune system.

There is an increased risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) after vaccination with Comirnaty (see section 4). These conditions can develop within just a few days after vaccination and have primarily occurred within 14 days. They have been observed more often after the second vaccination, and more often in younger males. The risk of myocarditis and pericarditis seems lower in children ages 5 to 11 years compared with ages 12 to 17 years. Most cases of myocarditis and pericarditis recover. Some cases required intensive care support and fatal cases have been seen. Following vaccination, you should be alert to signs of myocarditis and pericarditis, such as breathlessness, palpitations and chest pain, and seek immediate medical attention should these occur.

As with any vaccine, Comirnaty LP.8.1 may not fully protect all those who receive it and it is not known how long you will be protected.

The efficacy of Comirnaty LP.8.1 may be lower in people who are immunocompromised. If you are immunocompromised, you may receive additional doses of Comirnaty LP.8.1. In these cases, you should continue to maintain physical precautions to help prevent COVID-19. In addition, your close contacts should be vaccinated as appropriate. Discuss appropriate individual recommendations with your doctor.

Children

Comirnaty LP.8.1 30 micrograms/dose dispersion for injection is not recommended for children aged under 12 years.

There are paediatric formulations available for infants aged 6 months and above and children below 12 years of age. For details, please refer to the Package Leaflet for other formulations.

The vaccine is not recommended for infants aged under 6 months.

Other medicines and Comirnaty LP.8.1

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines or have recently received any other vaccine.

Comirnaty LP.8.1 may be given at the same time as a flu vaccine.

In adults 18 years of age and older, Comirnaty LP.8.1 may be given at the same time as a pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV).

In adults 18 years of age and older, Comirnaty LP.8.1 may be given at the same time as a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.

In older adults 65 years of age and older, Comirnaty LP.8.1 may be given at the same time as a high dose flu and an RSV vaccine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before you receive this vaccine.

No data are available yet regarding the use of Comirnaty LP.8.1 during pregnancy. However, a large amount of information from pregnant women vaccinated with the initially approved Comirnaty vaccine during the second and third trimester have not shown negative effects on the pregnancy or the newborn baby. While information on effects on pregnancy or the newborn baby after vaccination during the first trimester is limited, no change to the risk for miscarriage has been seen. Comirnaty LP.8.1 can be used during pregnancy.

No data are available yet regarding the use of Comirnaty LP.8.1 during breast-feeding. However, no effects on the breastfed newborn/infant are anticipated. Data from women who were breast-feeding after vaccination with the initially approved Comirnaty vaccine have not shown a risk for adverse effects in breastfed newborns/infants. Comirnaty LP.8.1 can be used while breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

Some of the effects of vaccination mentioned in section 4 (Possible side effects) may temporarily affect your ability to drive or use machines. Wait until these effects have worn off before you drive or use machines.

3. How Comirnaty LP.8.1 is given

Comirnaty LP.8.1 is given as an injection of 0.3 mL into a muscle of your upper arm.

You will receive 1 injection, regardless 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 LP.8.1 until at least 3 months after the most recent dose.

If you are immunocompromised, you may receive additional doses of Comirnaty LP.8.1.

If you have any further questions on the use of Comirnaty LP.8.1, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

4. Possible side effects

Like all vaccines, Comirnaty LP.8.1 can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Very common side effects: may affect more than 1 in 10 people

  • injection site: pain, swelling
  • tiredness, headache
  • muscle pain, joint pain
  • chills, fever
  • diarrhoea

Some of these side effects were slightly more frequent in adolescents 12 to 15 years than in adults.

Common side effects: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

  • nausea
  • vomiting (‘very common’ in pregnant women 18 years of age and older and in immunocompromised individuals 12 to 18 years of age)
  • injection site redness (‘very common’ in immunocompromised individuals 12 years of age and older)
  • enlarged lymph nodes (more frequently observed after a booster dose)

Uncommon side effects: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

  • feeling unwell, feeling weak or lack of energy/sleepy
  • arm pain
  • insomnia
  • injection site itching
  • allergic reactions such as rash or itching
  • decreased appetite
  • dizziness
  • excessive sweating, night sweats

Rare side effects: may affect up to 1 in 1 000 people

  • temporary one sided facial drooping
  • allergic reactions such as hives or swelling of the face

Very rare side effects: may affect up to 1 in 10 000 people

  • inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or inflammation of the lining outside the heart

    (pericarditis) which can result in breathlessness, palpitations or chest pain

Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

  • severe allergic reaction
  • extensive swelling of the vaccinated limb
  • swelling of the face (swelling of the face may occur in patients who have had facial dermatological fillers)
  • a skin reaction that causes red spots or patches on the skin, that may look like a target or

    “bulls-eye” with a dark red centre surrounded by paler red rings (erythema multiforme)

  • unusual feeling in the skin, such as tingling or a crawling feeling (paraesthesia)
  • decreased feeling or sensitivity, especially in the skin (hypoaesthesia)
  • heavy menstrual bleeding (most cases appeared to be non-serious and temporary in nature)

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via a Yellow card. Reporting forms and information can be found at https://coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Comirnaty LP.8.1

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

The following information about storage, expiry and use and handling is intended for healthcare professionals.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and label after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Store in freezer at -90 °C to -60 °C.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

The vaccine will be received frozen at -90 °C to -60 °C. Frozen vaccine can be stored either at -90 °C to -60 °C or 2 °C to 8 °C upon receipt.

When stored frozen at -90 °C to -60 °C, 10-vial packs of the vaccine can be thawed at 2 °C to 8 °C for 6 hours or individual vials can be thawed at room temperature (up to 30 °C) for 30 minutes.

Thawed (previously frozen) vials: Once removed from the freezer, the unopened vial may be stored and transported refrigerated at 2 °C to 8 °C for up to 10 weeks; not exceeding the printed expiry date (EXP). The outer carton should be marked with the new expiry date at 2 °C to 8 °C. Once thawed, the vaccine cannot be re-frozen.

Prior to use, the unopened vials can be stored for up to 12 hours at temperatures between 8 °C and 30 °C.

Thawed vials can be handled in room light conditions.

Opened vials: After first puncture, store the vaccine at 2 °C to 30 °C and use within 12 hours, which includes up to 6 hours transportation time. Discard any unused vaccine.

Do not use this vaccine if you notice particulates or discolouration.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Comirnaty LP.8.1 contains

  • The active substance of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine (nucleoside modified) is called mRNA encoding LP.8.1.

    • A multidose vial contains 6 doses of 0.3 mL with 30 micrograms mRNA encoding LP.8.1 each.
  • The other ingredients are:

    • ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (ALC-0315)
    • 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide (ALC-0159)
    • 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC)
    • cholesterol
    • trometamol
    • trometamol hydrochloride
    • sucrose
    • water for injections

What Comirnaty LP.8.1 looks like and contents of the pack

The vaccine is a white to off-white dispersion (pH: 6.9 - 7.9) provided in a multidose vial of 6 doses in a 2 mL clear vial (type I glass), with a rubber stopper and a grey flip-off plastic cap with aluminium seal.

Multidose vials pack size: 10 vials

Marketing Authorisation Holder

BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH

An der Goldgrube 12

55131 Mainz

Germany

Phone: +49 6131 9084-0

Fax: +49 6131 9084-2121

service@biontech.de

Manufacturers

BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH

An der Goldgrube 12

55131 Mainz

Germany

BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH

Kupferbergterrasse 17 - 19

55116 Mainz

Germany

Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium NV

Rijksweg 12

Puurs-Sint-Amands, 2870

Belgium

For any information about this medicine, please contact: Medical Information, Pfizer Ltd, Walton Oaks, Dorking Road, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 7NS. Telephone 01304 616161.

This leaflet was last revised in 04/2026.

Scan the code with a mobile device to get the package leaflet in different languages.

URL: www.comirnatyglobal.com

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency website: https://www.ema.europa.eu.

Ref: bCY (LP.8.1) 30 mcg MDV 2_0

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only:

Administer Comirnaty LP.8.1 intramuscularly as a single dose of 0.3 mL regardless of prior COVID-19 vaccination status.

For individuals who have previously been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty LP.8.1 should be administered at least 3 months after the most recent dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Additional doses may be given to individuals who are severely immunocompromised.

Traceability

In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.

Handling instructions prior to use for frozen vials

  • Verify that the vial has a grey plastic cap and the product name is Comirnaty LP.8.1

    30 micrograms/dose dispersion for injection (12 years and older).

  • If the vial has another product name on the label, please make reference to the Summary of

    Product Characteristics for that formulation.

  • If the vial is stored frozen it must be thawed prior to use. Frozen vials should be transferred to an environment of 2 °C to 8 °C to thaw. Ensure vials are completely thawed prior to use. A 10−vial pack of multidose vials may take 6 hours to thaw.
  • Upon moving vials to 2 °C to 8 °C storage, update the expiry date on the carton.
  • Unopened vials can be stored for up to 10 weeks at 2 °C to 8 °C; not exceeding the printed expiry date (EXP).
  • Alternatively, individual frozen vials may be thawed for 30 minutes at temperatures up to 30 °C.
  • Prior to use, the unopened vial can be stored for up to 12 hours at temperatures up to 30 °C.

    Thawed vials can be handled in room light conditions.

Preparation of 0.3 mL doses

  • Gently mix by inverting vials 10 times prior to use. Do not shake.
  • Prior to mixing, the thawed dispersion may contain white to off-white opaque amorphous particles.
  • After mixing, the vaccine should present as a white to off-white dispersion with no particulates visible. Do not use the vaccine if particulates or discolouration are present.
  • Using aseptic technique, cleanse the vial stopper with a single use antiseptic swab.
  • Withdraw 0.3 mL of Comirnaty LP.8.1.
  • Low dead-volume syringes and/or needles should be used in order to extract 6 doses from a single vial. The low dead-volume syringe and needle combination should have a dead-volume of no more than 35 microlitres. If standard syringes and needles are used, there may not be sufficient volume to extract a sixth dose from a single vial.
  • Each dose must contain 0.3 mL of vaccine.
  • If the amount of vaccine remaining in the vial cannot provide a full dose of 0.3 mL, discard the vial and any excess volume.
  • Record the appropriate date/time on the vial. Discard any unused vaccine 12 hours after first puncture.

Disposal

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 53632/0070

Last revision stated in the text: April 2026 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Comirnaty LP.8.1 30 micrograms/dose Dispersion for injection

Active substance COVID-19 vaccine
Strength 30 micrograms/dose
Pharmaceutical form Comirnaty LP.8.1 30 micrograms/dose dispersion for injection is a white to off-white dispersion (pH: 6.9 - 7.9).
Excipients ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (ALC-0315), 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide (ALC-0159), 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), Cholesterol, Trometamol, Trometamol hydrochloride, Sucrose, Water for injections
Is it available? No, all its packs are listed as discontinued (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life Vials
Unopened vials
There are different shelf life and storage conditions for unopened frozen and refrigerated only vials:
Frozen vials have printed EXP at −90 °C to −60 °C.
Refrigerated only vials have printed EXP at 2 °C to 8 °C.
Confirm the applicable shelf life and storage conditions.
Frozen vials
The vaccine will be received frozen at −90 °C to −60 °C. Frozen vaccine can be stored either at −90 °C to −60 °C or 2 °C to 8 °C upon receipt.
18 months when stored at −90 °C to −60 °C.
Within the 18-month shelf life the thawed (previously frozen) vials may be stored at 2 °C to 8 °C for up to 10 weeks.
Thawing procedure
Multidose vials
When stored frozen at −90 °C to −60 °C, 10-vial packs of multidose vials of the vaccine can be thawed at 2 °C to 8 °C for 6 hours or individual vials can be thawed at room temperature (up to 30 °C) for 30 minutes.
Thawed (previously frozen) vials
10 weeks storage and transportation at 2 °C to 8 °C within the 18-month shelf life.
Upon moving the vaccine to 2 °C to 8 °C storage, the updated expiry date must be written on the outer carton and the vaccine should be used or discarded by the updated expiry date. The original expiry date should be crossed out.
If the vaccine is received at 2 °C to 8 °C it should be stored at 2 °C to 8 °C. The expiry date on the outer carton should have been updated to reflect the refrigerated expiry date and the original expiry date should have been crossed out.
Prior to use, the unopened vials can be stored for up to 12 hours at temperatures between 8 °C and 30 °C.
Thawed vials can be handled in room light conditions.
Once thawed, the vaccine should not be re-frozen.
Handling of temperature excursions for previously frozen vials during refrigerated storage
Stability data indicate that the unopened vial is stable for up to 10 weeks when stored at temperatures from −2 °C to 2 °C, within the 10-week storage period between 2 °C and 8 °C.
Stability data indicate the vial can be stored for up to 24 hours at temperatures of 8 °C to 30 °C, including up to 12 hours following first puncture.
This information is intended to guide healthcare professionals only in case of temporary temperature excursion.
Opened vials
Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 12 hours at 2 °C to 30 °C, which includes up to 6 hours transportation time. From a microbiological point of view, unless the method of opening precludes the risks of microbial contamination, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user.
Storage Frozen Vials
Store multidose frozen vials in a freezer at −90 °C to −60 °C.
Store the vaccine in the original package in order to protect from light.
During storage, minimise exposure to room light, and avoid exposure to direct sunlight and ultraviolet light.
For storage conditions after thawing and first opening, see section 6.3.
Drug group (ATC) Vaccines, viral vaccines
Additional monitoring Yes ▼ – new safety information is collected quickly. Report any side effect to the Yellow Card scheme.
Marketing authorisation PL 53632/0070 (first authorised 17 December 2025)
Marketing authorisation holder BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.2.0 of 19 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.