Planning guidance for immunization clinics for COVID-19 vaccines: Vaccine product comparison and overview of key features
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- Overview of key features of COVID-19 vaccines authorized in Canada
- mRNA vaccines
- Other COVID-19 vaccines
Overview of key features of COVID-19 vaccines authorized in Canada
The following tables provide key features on the use of authorized COVID-19 vaccines in Canada. For more details please see the product monographs:
- Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty Original
- Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty Original and Omicron (BA.4/BA.5)
- Moderna Spikevax Original
- Moderna Spikevax Original and Omicron (BA.1)
- Moderna Spikevax Original and Omicron (BA.4/BA.5)
- Janssen Jcovden (Johnson & Johnson)
- Novavax Nuvaxovid
- Medicago Covifenz
mRNA vaccines
Download in Word format the overview of key features of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines authorized in Canada.
Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine (pediatric formulations)
Product name and formulation | Maroon cap and label (original strain) 6 months to 4 years of age |
Orange cap and label (original strain) 5 to 11 years of age |
Orange cap and label (original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains) 5 to 11 years of age |
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Important product information | Pfizer-BioNTech purple cap has expired and should no longer be used | ||
DIN/SNOMED | 02530325/34611000087105 | 02522454/33361000087101 | 02533197/37701000087106 |
Type of vaccine | mRNA | mRNA | mRNA |
Antigen component | One dose (0.2 mL) contains 3 mcg of mRNA encoding original strain spike protein (embedded in lipid nanoparticles). | One dose (0.2 mL) contains 10 mcg of mRNA encoding original strain spike protein (embedded in lipid nanoparticles). | One dose (0.2 mL) contains 5 mcg of mRNA encoding original strain spike protein and 5 mcg of mRNA encoding Omicron BA.4/BA.5 spike protein (both embedded in lipid nanoparticles). |
Date of authorization in Canada |
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Authorized ages for useFootnote a |
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Authorized dose |
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Authorized schedule for the primary seriesFootnote a | 3 doses, initial 2 doses 3 weeks apart, 3rd dose at least 8 weeks after the 2nd dose | 2 doses, 3 weeks apart | Not authorized |
Authorized schedule for boosterFootnote a | Not authorized. | First booster: at least 6 months after completing the primary series for 5 years through to 11 years of age. | Booster at least 6 months after completing the primary series for 5 years through 11 years of age. |
Nature of the antigen | Trans-membrane prefusion spike protein of the original strain | Trans-membrane prefusion spike protein of the original strain | Trans-membrane prefusion spike protein of the original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains |
Potential allergens |
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Adjuvant (if present) | None | None | None |
StorageFootnote c |
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Transport | Before puncture:
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Before puncture:
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Before puncture:
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Reconstitution |
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Route of administration | Intramuscular | Intramuscular | Intramuscular |
Syringe and needle selectionFootnote e |
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Formats available | Multi-dose vial. After dilution with 2.2 mL of diluent, contains 10 doses of 0.2 mLFootnote b. Preservative-free. |
Multi-dose vial. After dilution with 1.3 mL of diluent, contains 10 doses of 0.2 mLFootnote b. Preservative-free. |
Multi-dose vial. After dilution with 1.3 mL of diluent, contains 10 doses of 0.2 mLFootnote b. Preservative-free. |
Expiry date |
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Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine (adult/adolescent formulations)
Product name and formulation | Grey cap and label (original strain) 12 years of age and over |
Grey cap and label (original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains) 12 years of age and over for booster |
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Important product information | Pfizer-BioNTech purple cap has expired and should no longer be used | |
DIN/SNOMED | 02527863/33881000087102 |
02531461/37691000087106 |
Type of vaccine | mRNA |
mRNA |
Antigen component | One dose (0.3 mL) contains 30 mcg of mRNA encoding original strain spike protein (embedded in lipid nanoparticles). |
One dose (0.3 mL) contains 15 mcg of mRNA encoding original strain spike protein and 15 mcg of mRNA encoding Omicron BA.4/BA.5 spike protein (both embedded in lipid nanoparticles). |
Date of authorization in Canada |
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Authorized ages for useFootnote a |
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Authorized dose |
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Authorized schedule for the primary seriesFootnote a | 2 doses, 3 weeks apart |
Not authorized |
Authorized schedule for boosterFootnote a | First booster: at least 6 months after completing the primary series for 16 years and older. |
Booster at least 3 to 6 months after completing the primary series for 12 years and older. |
Nature of the antigen | Trans-membrane prefusion spike protein of the original strain |
Trans-membrane prefusion spike protein of the original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains |
Potential allergens |
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Adjuvant (if present) | None |
None |
StorageFootnote c |
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Transport | Before puncture:
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Before puncture:
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Reconstitution |
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Route of administration | Intramuscular |
Intramuscular |
Syringe and needle selectionFootnote e |
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Formats available | Multi-dose vial. 2.25 mL in a vial; 6 doses of 0.3 mLFootnote b. Preservative-free. |
Multi-dose vial. 2.25 mL in a vial; 6 doses of 0.3 mLFootnote b. Preservative-free. |
Expiry date |
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Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine
Product name and formulation | Red cap | Royal blue cap | ||
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Light blue label border (original strain) 0.20 mg/mL |
Purple label border (original strain) 0.10 mg/mL |
Green label border (original and Omicron BA.1 strains) 0.10 mg/mL |
Grey label border
(original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains) 0.10 mg/mL |
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DIN/SNOMED | 02510014/28571000087109 | 02527685/35651000087105 | 02530252/37311000087109 | 02532352/37651000087101 |
Type of vaccine | mRNA | mRNA | mRNA | mRNA |
Antigen component | 0.2 mg/mL of mRNA encoding original strain spike protein (mRNA-1273) [embedded in lipid nanoparticles]. | 0.1 mg/mL of mRNA encoding original strain spike protein (mRNA-1273) [embedded in lipid nanoparticles]. | 0.1 mg/mL. One dose (0.5 mL) contains 25 mcg of mRNA encoding original strain spike protein (mRNA-1273) and 25 mcg of mRNA encoding Omicron BA.1 spike protein (mRNA-1273.529) [both embedded in lipid nanoparticles]. | 0.1 mg/mL. One dose (0.5 mL) contains 25 mcg of mRNA encoding original strain spike protein (mRNA-1273) and 25 mcg of mRNA encoding Omicron BA.4/BA.5 spike protein (mRNA B.1.1.529) [both embedded in lipid nanoparticles]. |
Date of authorization in Canada |
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Authorized ages for useFootnote a |
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Authorized dose |
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Authorized schedule for the primary seriesFootnote a | 2 doses, 4 weeks apart | 2 doses, 4 weeks apart | Not authorized | Not authorized |
Authorized schedule for boosterFootnote a | First booster: at least 6 months after completing the primary series for 18 years and older. | First booster: at least 6 months after completing the primary series for 18 years and older. | Booster at least 4 months after completing the primary series or a previous booster dose for 18 years and older. | Booster at least 4 months after completing the primary series or a previous booster dose for 18 years and older. |
Nature of the antigen | Trans-membrane prefusion spike protein of the original strain | Trans-membrane prefusion spike protein of the original strain | Trans-membrane prefusion spike protein of the original and Omicron BA.1 strains | Trans-membrane prefusion spike protein of the original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains |
Potential allergens |
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Adjuvant (if present) | None | None | None | None |
StorageFootnote b |
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Transport | Before puncture:
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Before puncture:
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Before puncture:
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Before puncture:
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Reconstitution |
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Route of administration | Intramuscular | Intramuscular | Intramuscular | Intramuscular |
Syringe and needle selectionFootnote d |
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Formats available | Multi-dose vial. 0.20 mg/mL; 5 mL in a vial; 10 doses of 0.5 mL; 20 doses of 0.25 mL. Stopper should not be punctured more than 20 times. Preservative-free. |
Multi-dose vial. 0.10 mg/mL; 2.5 mL in a vial; 5 doses of 0.5 mL; 10 doses of 0.25 mL. Stopper should not be punctured more than 10 times. Preservative-free. |
Multi-dose vial. 0.10 mg/mL; 2.5 mL in a vial; 5 doses of 0.5 mL. Preservative-free. |
Multi-dose vial. 0.10 mg/mL; 2.5 mL in a vial; 5 doses of 0.5 mL. Preservative-free. |
Expiry date |
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Other COVID-19 vaccines
Janssen Jcovden, Novavax Nuvaxovid, and Medicago Covifenz COVID-19 vaccines
Product name and formulation | Janssen Jcovden (original strain) | Novavax Nuvaxovid (original strain) | Medicago Covifenz (original strain) not yet available |
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DIN/SNOMED | 02513153/28951000087107 | 02525364/29171000087106 | 02521326/30151000087105 |
Type of vaccine | Viral vector (adenovirus type 26) | Protein subunit | Virus-like particle produced in plants |
Antigen component | One dose (0.5 mL) contains 5 x 1010 viral particles of adenovirus type 26 (Ad26) encoding the original strain spike protein. | One dose (0.5 mL) contains 5 mcg of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant original strain spike protein. | Each dose (0.5 mL) contains 0.25 mL of the antigen component containing 3.75 mcg of the virus like particles (VLP) of the original strain spike protein. |
Date of authorization in Canada |
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Authorized ages for useFootnote a |
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Authorized dose |
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Authorized schedule for the primary seriesFootnote a | 1 dose | 2 doses, 3 weeks apart | 2 doses, 3 weeks apart |
Authorized schedule for boosterFootnote a | First booster: at least 2 months after the initial vaccination in individuals 18 years and older. | First booster: approximately 6 months after completing the primary series for 18 years and older. | Not authorized. |
Nature of the antigen | Trans-membrane prefusion spike protein of the original strain | Recombinant prefusion spike protein of the original strain | Recombinant virus-like particle prefusion spike protein of the original strain |
Potential allergens |
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Adjuvant (if present) | None | Matrix-M; comes premixed with the product | AS03; added to the product by the immunizer |
StorageFootnote b |
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Transport | Before puncture:
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Before puncture:
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Before puncture:
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Reconstitution |
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Route of administration | Intramuscular | Intramuscular | Intramuscular |
Syringe and needle selectionFootnote d |
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Formats available | Multi-dose vial. 5 x 1010 virus particles per 0.5 mL dose; 3.1 mL in a vial; 5 doses of 0.5 mL. Preservative-free |
Multi-dose vial. 5 mcg/0.5 ml; 5 mL in a vial; 10 doses of 0.5 mL. Preservative-free. |
Multi-dose vial. Comes as 2.5 mL of antigen in a vial (larger vial) and 2.5 mL of AS03 adjuvant in another vial (smaller vial). After mixing adjuvant with the antigen, contains 3.75 mcg of original strain per 0.5 mL dose; 10 doses of 0.5 mL in reconstituted vialFootnote c. Preservative-free. |
Expiry date |
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