Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE, "Pfizer") and BioNTech SEextlink label (Nasdaq: BNTX, "BioNTech") announced today that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for the companies' 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine formula, targeting the XFG variant, for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals 6 months of age and older. The adaptation is based on the recommendation from the Emergency Task Force (ETF) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to update COVID-19 vaccines to target the XFG variant of the JN.1 lineage for the 2026-2027 season. The ETF stated that "the evidence suggests that targeting XFG would provide the best protection against COVID-19."1
The marketing authorization is valid in all 27 European Union ("EU") Member States, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Pfizer and BioNTech have already initiated manufacturing of the monovalent XFG-adapted COVID-19 vaccine at risk to ensure supply readiness in anticipation of the respiratory disease season, when the demand for COVID-19 vaccination is expected to increase. EU Member States as well as Norway, will be supplied either via the EC contract or according to individual country government policies.
The EC approval follows the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommendation from July 23, 2026 based on the cumulative body of evidence previously submitted by Pfizer and BioNTech that includes clinical, non-clinical and real-world data supporting the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as well as manufacturing/quality and non-clinical data showing that the monovalent XFG-adapted COVID-19 vaccine generated strong immune responses against currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including XFG, XFG.1.1, NB.1.8.1, PQ.17, PQ.2.8.1 and other contemporary lineages.2
The companies have also submitted data for the updated COVID-19 vaccine to regulatory authorities around the world. The companies are continuing to monitor the evolving epidemiology of COVID-19 in preparation to meet global public health needs.
The COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and BioNTech are based on BioNTech's proprietary mRNA technology and were developed by both companies. BioNTech is the Marketing Authorization Holder for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and its adapted vaccines in the United States, the EU, the United Kingdom, and other countries, and the holder of emergency use authorizations or equivalents in other countries.
EU SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
Please see hereextlink label for the full Summary of Product Characteristics for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
U.S. INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
INDICATION
COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 VACCINE, mRNA) is a vaccine to protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
COMIRNATY is for people who are:
- 65 years of age and older, or
- 5 years through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- You or your child should NOT get COMIRNATY ®(COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) if you or your child had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of COMIRNATY or any Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or to any ingredient in these vaccines
- There is a remote chance that COMIRNATY could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to 1 hour after getting a dose. For this reason, the vaccination provider may ask you or your child to stay at the place where you or your child received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face and throat
- A fast heartbeat
- A bad rash all over the body
- Dizziness and weakness
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, including COMIRNATY and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines. Myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have occurred most commonly in males 12 years through 24 years of age. In most of these people, symptoms began within a week following vaccination. You should seek medical attention right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms after receiving the COMIRNATY, particularly during the 2 weeks after receiving a dose of the vaccine:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart
- Additional symptoms, particularly in children, may include:
- Fainting
- Unusual and persistent fatigue or lack of energy
- Persistent vomiting
- Persistent pain in the abdomen
- Unusual and persistent cool, pale skin
- Fainting can happen after getting injectable vaccines including COMIRNATY. Your vaccination provider may ask you to sit or lie down
- People with weakened immune systems may have a reduced immune response to COMIRNATY
- Vaccination with COMIRNATY may not protect all people who receive the vaccine
Before getting COMIRNATY, tell your vaccination provider about all of your or your child's medical conditions, including if you or your child:
- have any allergies
- had a severe allergic reaction after receiving a previous dose of any COVID-19 vaccine
- have had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart)
- have a fever
- have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
- are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
- are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- have received another COVID-19 vaccine
- have ever fainted in association with an injection
Additional side effects that have been reported with COMIRNATY or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines include:
- Non-severe allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face
- Injection site reactions: pain, swelling, redness, arm pain
- General side effects: tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, feeling unwell, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness
- Febrile seizures (convulsions during a fever) in children 5 through 11 years of age
These may not be all the possible side effects of COMIRNATY. Ask your or your child's healthcare provider about any side effects that concern you.
You may report side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1‐800‐822‐7967 or report online to www.vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.htmlextlink label.
In addition, you can report side effects to Pfizer Inc. at 1-800-438-1985 or www.pfizersafetyreporting.comextlink label.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for COMIRNATY.
