Components of COVID-19 vaccines authorized by Health Canada

Components of COVID-19 vaccines authorized by Health Canada — Download in PDF format
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Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada

Published: 2021-05-07

Ingredients in the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine
Component	Function	Known to be a potential allergen
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2	Active ingredient: Genetic code that provides the blueprint for our body's cells to make the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the cytoplasm, which is then displayed on the cell surface and elicits an immune response	No
Components of the lipid nanoparticle that delivers the mRNA into the cell
ALC-0159 = 2[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide	Forms a protective layer that stabilizes the nanoparticle, improves storage stability and reduces non-specific binding to proteins	Yes: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be an allergen
1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC)	Part of the double layer of lipids (lipid bilayer) that forms the nanoparticle	No
Cholesterol	Provides structural support for the lipid bilayer of the nanoparticle and supports mobility of lipid components	No
ALC-0315 = (4-hydroxybutyl) azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)	Main ingredient in the lipid-nanoparticle that delivers the mRNA into the cell Cationic (positively charged) lipid that during the manufacturing process, promotes the nanoparticle to assemble into a virus size particle with the negatively charged mRNA in the middle, and facilitates mRNA release from the nanoparticle once inside the cell	No
Additional ingredients
Potassium chloride	Salt that forms a buffer to balance the pH (acidity) of the vaccine	No
Monobasic potassium phosphate	Salt that forms a buffer to balance the pH (acidity) of the vaccine	No
Sodium chloride	Salt that forms a buffer to balance the pH (acidity) of the vaccine	No
Dibasic sodium phosphate dehydrate	Salt that forms a buffer to balance the pH (acidity) of the vaccine	No
Sucrose	Sugar to protect and stabilize the vaccine during freezing and prevent the particles from sticking together	No
Normal saline (provided separately from the vaccine)	Water and salt solution added as the diluent to the vaccine	No
Notes: Does not contain latex in the stopper

Ingredients in the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine
Component	Function	Known to be a potential allergen
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Nucleoside-modified mRNA encoding the viral spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2	Active ingredient: Genetic code that provides the blueprint for our body's cells to make the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the cytoplasm, which is then displayed on the cell surface and elicits an immune response	No
Components of the lipid nanoparticle that delivers the mRNA into the cell
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 2000 DMG	Serves to stabilize and prolong the lifespan of the nanoparticle	Yes: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be an allergen
1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC)	Part of the double layer of lipids (lipid bilayer) that forms the nanoparticle	No
Cholesterol	Provides structural support for the lipid bilayer of the nanoparticle and supports mobility of lipid components	No
Lipid SM-102	Ionizable lipid that interacts with mRNA During the manufacturing process, promotes the nanoparticle to assemble into a virus size particle with the negatively charged mRNA in the middle and facilitates mRNA release from the nanoparticle once in the cell	No
Additional ingredients
Tromethamine	Base that forms a buffer and works to balance the pH (acidity) of the vaccine	Yes: tromethamine can be a very rare cause of allergic reactions
Tromethamine hydrochloride	Salt that forms a buffer and works to balance the pH (acidity) of the vaccine	Yes: tromethamine can be a very rare cause of allergic reactions
Acetic acid	Acid that forms a buffer to balance the pH (acidity) of the vaccine	No
Sodium acetate	Salt that forms a buffer to balance the pH (acidity) of the vaccine Helps to stabilize the particle	No
Sucrose	Sugar to protect and stabilize the vaccine during freezing and prevent the particles from sticking together	No
Note: Does not contain latex in the stopper

Ingredients in the AstraZeneca Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine
Component	Function	Known to be a potential allergen
Sources of genetic code for spike protein
Modified adenovirus (ChAdOx1) containing spike protein genetic code	Active ingredient: Adenovirus that has been genetically modified to not replicate and to carry the gene for the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus Delivers genetic code of the spike protein to the nucleus of the body's cell where mRNA is made and transported to the cytoplasm of the body's cell where the spike protein is then made, displayed on the cell surface and elicits an immune response	No
Additional ingredients
L-Histidine	Buffering agent: pH (acidity) control and stability during storage	No
L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate	Buffering agent: pH (acidity) control and stability during storage	No
Magnesium chloride hexahydrate	Stabilizer: protects the vaccine from adverse conditions (electrostatic interactions)	No
Polysorbate 80	Surfactant: stabilizes the adenovirus by reducing virus sticking to surfaces and minimizing interactions where the liquid vaccine comes into contact with air	Yes: polysorbate 80 can be a very rare cause of allergic reactions
Ethanol	Stabilizer: protects the vaccine from adverse conditions (prevents free-radical induced oxidation of the adenovirus)	No
Sucrose	Cryo-protectant: stabilizes the adenovirus during freezing and thawing, enhances the adenovirus' ability to withstand temperature changes, and acts as a tonicity agent	No
Sodium chloride	Cryo-protectant: stabilizes the adenovirus during freezing and thawing and acts as a tonicity agent	No
Disodium edetate dihydrate (EDTA)	Stabilizer: protects the vaccine from adverse conditions (prevents free-radical induced oxidation of the adenovirus)	No
Water	Liquid in the vaccine vial	No
Note: Does not contain latex in the stopper

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2021-10-28