New Refrigerated Pfizer 12y+ COVID-19 Vaccine
On Monday, December 18, 2023, the CDC will be replacing the current Pfizer 12y+ vaccination allocations with Pfizer’s new refrigerated 12y+ vaccine (NCD 0069-2377-10), a new presentation in a carton of 10 manufacturer-filled syringes (MFS). See images below.
Even after the transition to the refrigerated Comirnaty, providers who have the original Pfizer 12y+ vaccine on hand can and should continue to use this product until it is consumed, expired, or has been stored at 2°C - 8°C for longer than the allowable 10 weeks.
Beginning immediately, there will be no new ordering of the previous Pfizer formulation. This product has now been placed on blackout. Providers who submitted orders of the old formulation after December 12, 2023, will have their orders rejected. Availability to order the new refrigerated formulation is expected to resume by Tuesday, December 19th. CDPH appreciates your patience as we work diligently to get the new product set-up before the next order process on December 28, 2023.
- This new presentation MUST BE STORED BETWEEN 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F). Do NOT store at ultra-cold or standard freezer temperatures.
- These manufacturer-filled syringes can be used through the expiration date printed on the carton and syringe labels. This Refrigerator-stable product can be used for up to 6 months from date of manufacture to the expiration date. The 10-week beyond-use date (BUD) for refrigerator storage does not apply.
- This guidance applies to this presentation ONLY. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6m-4y and 5-11y, which are shipped to providers in CDC’s programs directly from Pfizer on dry ice and can be stored at either at ultracold temperatures until expiry or up to 10 weeks at 2-8C.
Of note: Pfizer will continue to allow providers to privately order the original manufacturer-filled syringes for age 12+. Therefore, providers may have BOTH presentations – MFS with a 10-week BUD and MFS that can be used through the expiration date- in their storage units. If this occurs, providers should educate staff on the different storage requirements and strategies to prevent potential errors.
Bridge Access Program (BAP) Providers should note that while BAP will only offer one product, both products will be available for private purchase.