COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines available in the UK.

Last updated 6th October 2023: updated shelf-life of Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.1

COVID-19 Vaccines
NAMEMANUFACTURERPRESENTATIONCOMPOSITIONAGEDOSESTORAGE CONDITIONS

Comirnaty

BioNTech-Pfizer 

30 microgram/0.3ml conc for dispersion for inj in vial, 0.45ml

10 microgram/0.2ml conc for dispersion for inj in vial, 1.3ml

3 microgram/0.2ml conc for dispersion for inj in vial, 0.4ml

mRNA (nucleoside modified) encoding viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, embedded in lipid nanoparticles

From 6 months

From 12 years: 30 microgram/0.3ml by im inj. 

From 5 to 11 years, 10 microgram/0.2ml by im inj.

From 6 months to 4 years, 3 microgram/0.2ml by im inj. If no complete primary vaccination course or history of COVID-19 infection, repeat dose after 3 weeks and a further 8 weeks.

Store frozen at -90oC to -60oC for ≤2 years.

Thaw times at 2oC to 8oC: 10 x 10 microgram vials, 4 hrs; 195 x 30 microgram vials, 3 hrs; 10 x 3 microgram vials, 2 hrs. Individual vials: 30 mins at room temp (≤30oC).

Can be stored refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤31 days then at ≤30oC for ≤2hrs (30 microgram), or at 2oC to 8oC for ≤10 weeks then at 8oC to 30oC for ≤12hrs (10 microgram, 3 microgram).

Following dilution store at 2oC to 30oC; use within 6 hrs (30 microgram) or 12 hrs (10 microgram, 3 microgram).

Vial should not be shaken.

Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.1

BioNTech-Pfizer

15 microgram/15 microgram per 0.3ml dispersion for inj in vial, 2.25ml

mRNA encoding viral spike protein of SARs-CoV-2 (original and Omicron variant), embedded in lipid nanoparticles

From 12 years

0.3ml as a booster by im inj ≥3 months after completion of primary series or booster.

Store frozen at -90oC to -60oC for ≤2 years.

Thaw times: 10-vial packs, 6 hrs at 2oC to 8oC; individual vials, 30 mins at room temp (≤30oC).

Can be stored refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤10 weeks then at 8oC to 30oC for ≤12 hrs.

Following first withdrawal store at 2oC to 30oC; use within 12 hrs.

Vial should not be shaken.

Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5

BioNTech-Pfizer

15 microgram/15 microgram per 0.3ml dispersion for inj in vial, 2.25ml

mRNA encoding viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (original and Omicron BA.4-5 variant), embedded in lipid nanoparticles

From 12 years

0.3ml by im inj ≥3 months after any previous COVID-19 vaccine.

Store frozen at -90oC to -60oC for ≤2 years.

Thaw times: 10-vial packs, 6 hrs at 2oC to 8oC; individual vials, 30 mins at room temp (≤30oC).

Can be stored refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤10 weeks then at 8oC to 30oC for ≤12 hrs.

Following first withdrawal store at 2oC to 30oC; use within 12 hrs.

Vial should not be shaken.

Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5

BioNTech-Pfizer

30 microgram/0.3ml dispersion for inj in vial, 2.25ml

10 microgram/0.3ml dispersion for inj in vial, 2.25ml

3 microgram/0.2ml conc for dispersion for inj in vial, 0.4ml

mRNA encoding viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron XBB.1.5 variant), embedded in lipid nanoparticles

From 6 months

From 12 years: 30 microgram/0.3ml by im inj.

From 5 to 11 years: 10 microgram/0.3ml by im inj.

From 6 months to 4 years, 3 microgram/0.2ml by im inj. If no complete primary vaccination course or history of COVID-19 infection, repeat dose after 3 weeks and a further 8 weeks.

Store frozen at -90oC to -60oC for ≤12 months (10 microgram vials) or ≤18 months (30 microgram vials and 3 microgram vials).

Thaw times at 2oC to 8oC: 10 x 30 microgram vials or 10 x 10 microgram vials, 6 hrs; 10 x 3 microgram vials, 2 hrs. Individual vials: 30 mins at room temp (≤30oC).

Within 12- or 18-month shelf-life, can be stored refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for 10 weeks then at 8oC to 30oC for ≤12hrs.

Following first withdrawal (30 microgram and 10 microgram) or after dilution (3 microgram) store at 2oC to 30oC; use within 12 hrs.

Vial should not be shaken.

Nuvaxovid

Novavax

5 microgram/0.5ml dispersion for inj in vial, 5ml

Recombinant viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, adjuvanted with Matrix-M

From 12 years

0.5ml by im inj, repeated after 3 weeks.

A booster dose may be given 6 months after second dose in patients ≥18 years.

Store refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤9 months.

Following first withdrawal store at 2oC to 8oC (use within 12 hrs) or at room temp (max 25oC; use within 6 hrs).

Vial should not be shaken.

Spikevax

Moderna Biotech

100 microgram/0.5ml dispersion for inj in vial, 5ml

mRNA (nucleoside modified) encoding viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, embedded in SM-102 lipid nanoparticles

From 6 years

From 12 years: 0.5ml by im inj, repeated after ≥28 days. A booster dose of 0.25ml may be given ≥3 months after second dose in patients ≥12 years.

From 6 to 11 years: 0.25ml by im inj, repeated after 28 days.

Store frozen at -50oC to -15oC for ≤9 months, then refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤30 days

Can also be stored frozen at -50oC to -15oC for ≤12 months, then refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤14 days.

After removal from refrigerated conditons, store at 8oC to 25oC for ≤24 hrs.

Thaw time: 2.5 hrs (2oC to 8oC) or 1 hr (15oC to 25oC); if thawed in fridge, leave at room temp for 15 mins before administering.

Following first withdrawal store at 2oC to 25oC; use within 6 hrs.

Vial should not be shaken.

Spikevax 0.1mg/ml

Moderna Biotech

100 microgram/ml dispersion for inj in vial, 2.5ml

mRNA (nucleoside modified) encoding viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, embedded in SM-102 lipid nanoparticles

From 6 months

From 6 to 11 years: 0.5ml by im inj, repeated after ≥28 days. A booster dose of 0.25ml may be given ≥3 months after second dose.

From 6 months to 5 years: 0.25ml by im inj, repeated after ≥28 days.

Store frozen at -50oC to -15oC for ≤9 months, then refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤30 days.

Can also be stored frozen at -50oC to -15oC for ≤12 months then refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤14 days.

After removal from refrigerated conditions, store at 8oC to 25oC for ≤24 hrs.

Thaw time: 2.5hrs (2oC to 8oC) or 1hr (15oC to 25oC); if thawed in fridge, leave at room temp for 15 mins before administering.

Following first withdrawal store at 2oC to 25oC; use within 6 hrs.

Vial should not be shaken.

Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1

Moderna Biotech

25 microgram/25 microgram per 0.5ml dispersion for inj in vial, 5ml

mRNA encoding viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (original and Omicron variant), embedded in lipid nanoparticles

From 6 years

From 12 years: 0.5ml as a booster dose by im inj ≥3 months after completion of primary series or booster.

From 6 to 11 years: 0.25ml as a booster dose by im inj ≥3 months after completion of primary series or booster.

Store frozen at -50oC to -15oC for ≤9 months. Within this period, can be stored at 2oC to 8oC for ≤30 days.

Can also be stored frozen at -50oC to -15oC for ≤12 months. Within this period, can be stored refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤14 days.

After removal from refrigerated conditions, store at 8oC to 25oC for ≤24 hrs.

Thaw time: 2.5 hrs (2oC to 8oC) or 1 hr (15oC to 25oC); if thawed in fridge, leave at room temp for 15 mins before administering.

Following first withdrawal store at 2oC to 25oC; use within 6 hrs.

Vial should not be shaken.

Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.4-5

Moderna Biotech

25 microgram/25 microgram per 0.5ml dispersion for inj in vial, 2.5ml   

mRNA encoding viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (original and Omicron BA.4-5 variant), embedded in lipid nanoparticles

From 6 months

From 12 years: 0.5ml by im inj, ≥3 months after any previous COVID-19 vaccine.

From 6 months to 11 years: 0.25ml by im inj, ≥3 months after any previous COVID-19 vaccine. In children 6 months to 4 years without prior vaccination or history of COVID-19 infection, repeat dose after 28 days.  

Store frozen at -50oC to -15oC for ≤9 months. Within this period, can be stored refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤30 days.

Can also be stored frozen at -50oC to -15oC for ≤12 months. Within this period, can be stored refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤14 days.

After removal from refrigerated conditions, store at 8oC to 25oC for ≤24 hrs.

Thaw time: 10-vial packs, 1 hr 45 mins (2oC to 8oC) or 45 mins (15oC to 25oC); single vials, 45 mins (2oC to 8oC) or 15 mins (15oC to 20oC). If thawed in fridge, leave at room temp for 15 mins before administering. 

Vial should not be shaken.

Spikevax XBB.1.5

Moderna Biotech

100 microgram/ml dispersion for inj in vial, 2.5ml

mRNA encoding viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (XBB.1.5 variant), embedded in lipid nanoparticles

From 6 months

From 12 years: 0.5ml by im inj, 3 months after any previous COVID-19 vaccine.

From 6 months to 11 years: 0.25ml by im inj 3 months after any previous COVID-19 vaccine. In children 6 months to 4 years without prior vaccination or history of COVID-19 infection, repeat dose after 28 days

Store frozen at -50oC to -15oC for ≤9 months. Within this period, can be stored refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤30 days.

Can also be stored frozen at -50oC to -15oC for ≤12 months. Within this period, can be stored refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤14 days.

After removal from refrigerated conditions, store at 8oC to 25oC for ≤24 hrs.

Thaw time: 2 hrs 30 mins (2oC to 8oC) or 1 hr (15oC to 25oC). If thawed in fridge, leave at room temp for 15 mins before administering.

Vial should not be shaken.

VidPrevtyn Beta

Sanofi Pasteur

5 microgram/0.5ml antigen soln in vial plus adjuvant emulsion in vial, for emulsion for inj

Recombinant viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, adjuvanted with AS03

From 18 years

0.5ml as a booster dose by im inj ≥4 months after mRNA or adenoviral vector vaccine.

Store refrigerated at 2oC to 8oC for ≤12 months.

Place vials at 25oC for >15 mins before mixing.

After mixing keep at 2oC to 8oC; use within 6 hrs.

Vials should not be shaken.

Notes

  • Once thawed vaccines cannot be re-frozen.
  • All vaccines should ideally be given into the deltoid muscle.
  • The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that pregnant women be offered COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as people of the same age or risk group. Comirnaty and Spikevax are the preferred first-dose vaccines for pregnant women of any age.1
  • The JCVI says that COVID-19 vaccines can be received whilst breastfeeding.1
  • Check national guidelines for any updates to dosing schedules, available at gov.uk.
  • Report any suspected adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines at coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Information summarised from manufacturers' Summaries of Product Characteristics (SPCs), available at medicines.org.uk.

Reference:

  1. COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for all women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding (updated 10 January 2023).

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