About Fosun Pharma/ BioNTech Comirnaty mRNA Vaccine

Comirnaty is a vaccine used for preventing COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is given to people from 6 months of age and older. The mRNA vaccine teaches human cells how to make a protein (or a piece of a protein) that triggers an immune response, thereby produce antibodies and blood cells that work against the virus, giving protection against COVID-19.

Comirnaty Original / Omicron BA.4-5 Vaccine (the “Comirnaty bivalent vaccine”) is a vaccine used for preventing COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. It is given to adults and adolescents from 12 years of age and older.

From 1 December 2022 onwards, Comirnaty bivalent vaccine can be used as an alternative to the fourth dose of the current ancestral strain vaccines for eligible persons aged 12 years or above following the current vaccination schedule.

You should NOT receive Comirnaty vaccine if you are:

• Allergic to previous dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, or to the active substance or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

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

• Have ever had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction or breathing problems after any other vaccine injection or after you were given the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in the past.

• Have anxiety / are feeling nervous about the vaccination process or have ever fainted following any needle injection.

• Have a weakened or compromised immune system, because of a disease such as HIV infection or a medicine such as corticosteroid that affects your immune system.

• 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.

• Have any serious illness.

• Have a bleeding problem, you bruise easily or you use a medicine to prevent blood-clots.

• Have previously had episodes of Capillary Leak Syndrome.

From 9 November 2022 onwards, toddler aged 6 months to less than 5 years old can receive a dose of 3 micrograms (mcg) (toddler formulation) Comirnaty vaccine.

Point to Note and Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Adolescents

1. Other medicines and the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, might take any other medicines or have recently received any other vaccine. The JSC considered that mRNA COVID-19 vaccine can be co-administered concomitantly with any other vaccines (including live attenuated vaccines) under informed consent. However, if people wish to space out mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with live attenuated vaccine, an interval of 14 days is sufficient.

2. Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Pregnant women are at higher risk of developing complications from COVID-19 infections.

COVID-19 vaccine can be safely given at any time during pregnancy. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that COVID-19 vaccination in mid-second trimester is preferred to optimize protection of the pregnant women, the foetus and the infant.

WHO does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding because of vaccination. As an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is not a live vaccine, the mRNA does not enter the nucleus of the cell and is degraded quickly. It is biologically and clinically unlikely to pose a risk to the breastfeeding child.

3. Driving and using machines

Do not drive or use machines if you are feeling unwell after vaccination. Wait until these effects have worn off before you drive or use machines.

Comirnaty is administered intramuscularly.

If you experience severe allergic reactions (e.g. difficulty in breathing, wheezing, swelling of the lip, tongue or face, hives, etc.) or other adverse events after receiving mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, please consult a doctor immediately.

There is an increased risk of myocarditis (in ammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (in ammation of the lining outside the heart) after vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. 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. Vaccine recipients should avoid strenuous exercise for one week after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

For COVID-19 vaccine recommendation, please visit: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/poster_recommend_dose.pdf

or the latest announcement by the Government for the vaccination implementation arrangement.

Source: Vaccination Fact Sheet for mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine