This medication belongs to a group of medications known as vaccines. It is used  to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This vaccine increases a person's defences against coronavirus infection by introducing genetic information for a piece of virus, in the form of messenger RNA, into the body. This causes your body to produce pieces of the virus which then stimulate the production of your own antibodies (cells designed to attack that particular virus). These antibodies remain in your body ready to attack any future SARS-CoV-2 virus that may cause infection. You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

This medication is given as an intramuscular injection (into the muscle of the upper arm). The volume of the dose varies depending on the age of the person being vaccinated.

It is important this vaccine be given exactly as recommended by your health care provider. If you miss an appointment to receive this vaccine, contact your health care provider as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment. All vaccines should be added to your immunization record.

This vaccine requires specific storage conditions. This vaccine will be stored, supplied, and administered by a health care professional.

Spikevax 0.2 mg/mL
Each 0.2 mg/mL vial  of white-to-off-white, preservative-free, sterile suspension for intramuscular injection contains elasomeran messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding the pre-fusion stabilized Spike glycoprotein of 2019 novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Nonmedicinal ingredients: 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phoshpocholine (DSPC), acetic acid, cholesterol, Lipid SM-102, PEG2000 DMG 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycerol, methoxy-polyethylene glycol, sodium acetate, sucrose, trometamol, trometamol hydrochloride, and water for injection.

Spikevax 0.1 mg/mL
Each 0.1 mg/mL vial of white-to-off-white, preservative-free, sterile suspension for intramuscular injection contains messenger elasomeran ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding the pre-fusion stabilized Spike glycoprotein of 2019 novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Nonmedicinal ingredients: 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phoshpocholine (DSPC), acetic acid, cholesterol, Lipid SM-102, PEG2000 DMG 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycerol, methoxy-polyethylene glycol, sodium acetate, sucrose, trometamol, trometamol hydrochloride, and water for injection.

Spikevax Bivalent (Original/Omicron)
Each 0.1 mg/mL vial of white-to-off-white, preservative-free, sterile suspension for intramuscular injection contains elasomeran messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding the pre-fusion stabilized Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 virus (mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2) and imelasomeran mRNA encoding the pre-fusion stabilized conformation variant (K983P and V984P) of theSARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein (Omicronvariant B.1.1.529 [BA.1]). Nonmedicinal ingredients: acetic acid, cholesterol, DSPC (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), Lipid SM-102, PEG2000-DMG (1,2-dimyristoyl-racglycerol, methoxy-polyethyleneglycol), sodium acetate trihydrate, sucrose, trometamol, trometamol hydrochloride, and water for injection.

Spikevax Bivalent (Original/Omicron BA.4/5)
Each 0.1 mg/mL vial of white-to-off-white, preservative-free, sterile suspension for intramuscular injection contains elasomeran messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding the pre-fusion stabilized Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 virus and davesomeran mRNA encoding the pre-fusion stabilized conformation variant (K981P and V982P) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein (Omicron variant B.1.1.529 [BA.4/5]). Nonmedicinal ingredients: acetic acid, cholesterol, DSPC (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), Lipid SM-102, PEG2000-DMG (1,2-dimyristoyl-racglycerol, methoxy-polyethyleneglycol), sodium acetate trihydrate, sucrose, trometamol, trometamol hydrochloride, and water for injection.

Spikevax XBB.1.5 0.1 mg/mL
Each 0.1 mg/mL vial of white-to-off-white, preservative-free, sterile suspension for intramuscular injection contains andusomeran messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding the pre-fusion stabilized conformation variant (K982P and V983P) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein (Omicron variant XBB.1.5). Nonmedicinal ingredients: acetic acid, cholesterol, DSPC (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), Lipid SM-102, PEG2000-DMG (1,2-dimyristoyl-racglycerol, methoxy-polyethyleneglycol), sodium acetate trihydrate, sucrose, trometamol, trometamol hydrochloride, and water for injection.

Do not take this medication if you

• are allergic to any ingredients of the medication
• have had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of this vaccine

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• chills
• decreased appetite
• dizziness
• fever
• headache
• muscle aches and stiffness
• nausea
• numbness or decreased sense of touch
• redness, swelling, tenderness, or pain at place of injection
• sleepiness
• swollen lymph nodes
• tingling, itching, or prickling sensation
• tiredness
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• facial paralysis (Bell's palsy)
• symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (such as hives, difficulty breathing, itchy rash on the hands or feet, or swelling of the face or throat)
• symptoms of inflammation of tissue surrounding the heart (pericarditis; e.g., chest pain, cough, fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, weakness or fatigue)
• symptoms of inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis; e.g., chest pain, swelling of the feet and legs; fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, joint stiffness)

Be sure to mention any side effect to your doctor, as it may mean that you are allergic to the vaccine. If so, it would not be safe for you to have more doses of the same type of vaccine.

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Allergic reactions: Rarely, this vaccine may cause severe allergic reactions. If you notice the signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives; trouble breathing or swallowing; or swelling of the lips, face, throat, or tongue), get medical attention immediately.

If you have an allergic reaction with your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, discuss this with your health care professional before you get the second dose.

Bleeding: People with bleeding disorders, or those who are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), may experience bruising after receiving an intramuscular injection. Tell your doctor about any bleeding problems you may have and discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Immune system: As with any vaccine, this vaccine may not be as effective for people with a weakened immune system (such as those who are on chemotherapy, who have had an organ transplant, or who have HIV).

Myocarditis and pericarditis: Rarely, cases of inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or inflammation of the lining outside the heart (pericarditis), have occurred in people who have received this vaccine. If you experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or feelings of a fast, fluttering or pounding heartbeat within a few days of vaccination, get medical attention immediately.

Other illness: If you have a high fever or other illness, talk to your doctor about rescheduling your appointment to receive this vaccine until after you have recovered. You should wait to receive this vaccine if you have an acute, severe illness with fever.

Vaccine protection:  As with any vaccine, this vaccine may not protect 100% of people who receive it.

Pregnancy: This vaccine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you discover you may have been pregnant when you received this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if this vaccine passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of this vaccine for children depends on your child’s age. Talk to your doctor about appropriate vaccines for your child.

For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.

If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.