The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization has issued interim recommendations for the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccine. This article summarizes these interim recommendations. you can at here View full guidance document.
Here's what you need to know.
The Strategic Advisory Group on Immunization believes that the
Pfizer-Biotech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is safe and effective.
Who can get the vaccine?
The vaccine is safe and effective for all individuals 6 months of age and older. according to
WHOPrioritization Roadmap and WHO Values Framework, the elderly,
the immunocompromised, and health workers are the highest
priority groups for use. Every effort should be made to achieve high
vaccination coverage among the highest and high priority use groups.
WHOPrioritization Roadmap and WHO Values Framework, the elderly,
the immunocompromised, and health workers are the highest
priority groups for use. Every effort should be made to achieve high
vaccination coverage among the highest and high priority use groups.
Should pregnant and breastfeeding women be vaccinated?
Given the adverse outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy
and the growing data demonstrating the good safety profile of the BNT162b2
vaccine during pregnancy, WHO recommends the use of this vaccine
in pregnant women. WHO does not recommend pregnancy testing
before vaccination. WHO does not recommend delaying or terminating
pregnancy due to vaccination.
and the growing data demonstrating the good safety profile of the BNT162b2
vaccine during pregnancy, WHO recommends the use of this vaccine
in pregnant women. WHO does not recommend pregnancy testing
before vaccination. WHO does not recommend delaying or terminating
pregnancy due to vaccination.
Vaccine effectiveness in lactating women is expected to be similar to
\that in other adults. WHO recommends that breastfeeding women
receive the vaccine like other adults. WHO does not recommend interruption
of breastfeeding due to vaccination. Vaccine-elicited antibodies have
been found in breast milk of lactating women following vaccination,
suggesting possible protection for neonates and mothers.
\that in other adults. WHO recommends that breastfeeding women
receive the vaccine like other adults. WHO does not recommend interruption
of breastfeeding due to vaccination. Vaccine-elicited antibodies have
been found in breast milk of lactating women following vaccination,
suggesting possible protection for neonates and mothers.
Who should not be vaccinated?
Individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to any
component of the vaccine should not be vaccinated.
component of the vaccine should not be vaccinated.
People with symptoms of fever (body temperature over 38.5°C)
should wait for the fever to subside before getting vaccinated.
should wait for the fever to subside before getting vaccinated.
Is this vaccine recommended for children and adolescents?
The vaccine is approved for use in people 6 months and older,
but the recommended dose needs to be adjusted for people 6
months to 4 years old, and for people 5-11 years old.
but the recommended dose needs to be adjusted for people 6
months to 4 years old, and for people 5-11 years old.
WHO recommends that countries should only consider vaccination
in children aged 6 months and older up to 17 years if high coverage
with 2 doses of the vaccine has been achieved in the highest
and high priority use groups identified in the WHO Prioritization
Roadmap This vaccine is used in children.
in children aged 6 months and older up to 17 years if high coverage
with 2 doses of the vaccine has been achieved in the highest
and high priority use groups identified in the WHO Prioritization
Roadmap This vaccine is used in children.
Children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years with
comorbidities are at significantly increased risk of severe illness
from COVID-19 and should be vaccinated along with other high-risk groups.
According to the WHO Prioritization Roadmap, the focus
remains on preventing deaths by achieving high vaccine
coverage (both primary and booster vaccinations) in the highest
and high priority use groups.
comorbidities are at significantly increased risk of severe illness
from COVID-19 and should be vaccinated along with other high-risk groups.
According to the WHO Prioritization Roadmap, the focus
remains on preventing deaths by achieving high vaccine
coverage (both primary and booster vaccinations) in the highest
and high priority use groups.
In general, children are at low risk for COVID-19. That's why WHO
advises countries to prioritize vaccinating high-risk groups such as
the elderly, people with underlying health conditions and health workers.
advises countries to prioritize vaccinating high-risk groups such as
the elderly, people with underlying health conditions and health workers.
Is this vaccine safe?
The Global Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee is an expert group
that provides independent and authoritative guidance to WHO on
the safe use of vaccines. It is responsible for receiving and evaluating
reports of suspected safety incidents with potential international impact.
In October 2021, the committee's subcommittee on COVID-19 concluded
that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines had clear benefits in reducing
hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 in all age groups.
that provides independent and authoritative guidance to WHO on
the safe use of vaccines. It is responsible for receiving and evaluating
reports of suspected safety incidents with potential international impact.
In October 2021, the committee's subcommittee on COVID-19 concluded
that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines had clear benefits in reducing
hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 in all age groups.
An extremely rare serious adverse event was myocarditis, which was mainly
observed in young men aged 18-35 after the second dose of the
vaccine. Such cases of myocarditis usually occur within a few
days after vaccination, are generally mild, respond to conservative
treatment, and are not as severe as typical myocarditis or
COVID-19-related myocarditis, with a better outcome.
observed in young men aged 18-35 after the second dose of the
vaccine. Such cases of myocarditis usually occur within a few
days after vaccination, are generally mild, respond to conservative
treatment, and are not as severe as typical myocarditis or
COVID-19-related myocarditis, with a better outcome.
How effective is the vaccine?
Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine has very high protective
efficacy against severe disease and moderate protective
efficacy against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
efficacy against severe disease and moderate protective
efficacy against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
What is the recommended dosage?
For all persons 12 years of age and older, the Strategic Advisory
Group of Experts on Immunization recommends two doses
(30 µg in 0.3 mL each) given 4 to 8 weeks apart by intramuscular
injection into the deltoid muscle.
Group of Experts on Immunization recommends two doses
(30 µg in 0.3 mL each) given 4 to 8 weeks apart by intramuscular
injection into the deltoid muscle.
For children aged 5 to 11 years, the Strategic Advisory Group
of Experts on Immunization recommends two doses
\(10 µg each, 0.2 mL) administered intramuscularly
into the deltoid muscle 4–8 weeks apart, preferably 8 weeks apart.
of Experts on Immunization recommends two doses
\(10 µg each, 0.2 mL) administered intramuscularly
into the deltoid muscle 4–8 weeks apart, preferably 8 weeks apart.
For infants and children aged 6 months to 4 years, the recommended
schedule is three doses (3 µg, 0.2 mL each): According to the label,
the first two doses are recommended 3 weeks apart, followed by the
second dose Give the third dose at least 8 weeks later. However,
countries may consider extending the interval between the first
and second dose to 8 weeks.
schedule is three doses (3 µg, 0.2 mL each): According to the label,
the first two doses are recommended 3 weeks apart, followed by the
second dose Give the third dose at least 8 weeks later. However,
countries may consider extending the interval between the first
and second dose to 8 weeks.
It is recommended to follow the complete vaccination program,
and the same product can be used for two vaccinations.
The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommends
that severely and moderately immunocompromised persons
(including children) should receive an additional dose of vaccine
as part of basic vaccination. This is because this group is less
likely to respond adequately to vaccination after completion
of standard primary vaccinations, and they are
at higher risk of severe COVID-19.
and the same product can be used for two vaccinations.
The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommends
that severely and moderately immunocompromised persons
(including children) should receive an additional dose of vaccine
as part of basic vaccination. This is because this group is less
likely to respond adequately to vaccination after completion
of standard primary vaccinations, and they are
at higher risk of severe COVID-19.
Is a booster dose of this vaccine recommended?
A first booster vaccination is recommended for the highest priority groups
(e.g., the elderly, moderately to severely immunocompromised,
and health workers) 4–6 months after completion of the primary
vaccination, followed by lower priority groups . If the completion
time of the basic vaccination is more than 6 months, the booster
should be given as soon as possible.
(e.g., the elderly, moderately to severely immunocompromised,
and health workers) 4–6 months after completion of the primary
vaccination, followed by lower priority groups . If the completion
time of the basic vaccination is more than 6 months, the booster
should be given as soon as possible.
WHO recommends that countries should consider administering
a second booster 4-6 months after the first booster for the
highest priority groups.
There is currently no recommendation for a first or second booster
dose for children under 12 years of age, except for immunocompromised children.
Can this vaccine be "mixed and matched" with other vaccines?
The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization believes
that vaccination with two doses of COVID-19 vaccines from
different COVID-19 vaccine platforms and on the WHO Emergency
\ Use List constitutes a complete basic vaccination.
that vaccination with two doses of COVID-19 vaccines from
different COVID-19 vaccine platforms and on the WHO Emergency
\ Use List constitutes a complete basic vaccination.
For countries considering a "mix and match" vaccination schedule,
WHO recommends the following to ensure equal or favorable
immunogenicity or vaccine efficacy of heterologous and homologous
vaccination schedules:
existfirst doseAfter vaccination with Pfizer vaccine, depending on product availability, the second dose can be administered with any of the COVID-19 viral vector vaccines on the WHO Emergency Use List (Janssen or AstraZeneca Vaxzevria/COVISHIELD).
- After vaccination with any of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccines (Sinopharm, Sinovac or Bharat) or any of the viral vector vaccines (Janssen or AstraZeneca Vaxzevria/COVISHIELD) on the WHO Emergency Use List, also The Pfizer vaccine can be used assecond dosevaccine.
The Pfizer vaccine can also be used as a booster after vaccination with any of the COVID-19 vaccines on the WHO Emergency Use List.
Does it prevent infection and spread?
The impact of the vaccine on transmission was modest.
At the same time, we must adhere to and strengthen effective public
health measures: wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, washing
hands, paying attention to respiratory and cough hygiene etiquette,
avoiding crowding, and ensuring good ventilation.
At the same time, we must adhere to and strengthen effective public
health measures: wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, washing
hands, paying attention to respiratory and cough hygiene etiquette,
avoiding crowding, and ensuring good ventilation.
Does it work on new mutants?
The vaccine is still effective against mutant strains of the virus.
But in the case of the Omicron variant, the vaccine was less effective
at preventing severe and mild disease after two doses than Delta,
and its efficacy decayed faster. Therefore, a third dose (first booster)
is recommended for all adults, with a second booster for the
highest priority group.
But in the case of the Omicron variant, the vaccine was less effective
at preventing severe and mild disease after two doses than Delta,
and its efficacy decayed faster. Therefore, a third dose (first booster)
is recommended for all adults, with a second booster for the
highest priority group.
How does this vaccine compare to other COVID-19 vaccines in use?
A direct comparison of the vaccines was not possible because of the
different methods used in designing the relevant studies. Overall,
however, all vaccines that have entered the WHO Emergency Use
List have been very effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness and
hospitalization.
different methods used in designing the relevant studies. Overall,
however, all vaccines that have entered the WHO Emergency Use
List have been very effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness and
hospitalization.
 COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Need to Know){kind=link}
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