We’re getting a lot of questions about what is (and is not) in the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. So here’s a handy guide in plain language.
Both vaccines contain ingredients in four main categories: messenger RNA, a blend of fats, sugar, and a blend of salts, acids, and acidity stabilizers that keep the acidity at the right level.
Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines DO NOT contain any type of human cells (that means no fetal cells or blood products, or any other type), other animal cells, any virus, preservatives, shellfish or other common food allergens, or latex. They do not contain microchips. For a list of stuff that IS NOT in these vaccines, scroll to the bottom.
We’ll tackle what IS in them first:
In both, the active ingredient is messenger RNA (aka mRNA). mRNA is a molecule manufactured in a lab of its component parts–think of a 3D printing process. Those component parts are themselves molecules: adenine, cytosine, guanine, uracil, and some sugars.
The blend of fats forms extremely tiny fat bubbles around the mRNA, temporarily protecting it so that the mRNA can get in and do its job in the cells. One of the fats in the Moderna vaccine is polyethylene glycol (or PEG); and the Pfizer vaccine also contains something very similar to PEG. PEG is a common ingredient in food, toothpaste, etc–and some people are allergic to it. That’s why an allergy to PEG is one of the only known contraindications to receiving these vaccines (meaning if you’re allergic to PEG, you should not get this vaccine).
The sugar stops the fats from sticking together and allows it to freeze for storage and unfreeze without getting funky. The blend of salts, acids, and acidity stabilizers keeps the mixture at the right pH, with the aim of matching the pH of your blood.
And, before it is injected, the Pfizer vaccine is also mixed with saline solution, or water and salt (sodium chloride).
Specifically, the Pfizer vaccine contains: :
🧪Messenger RNA (aka mRNA). A molecule made in a lab out of smaller molecules.
🧪A blend of four different fat molecules:
– (4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis (ALC-3015)
– (2- hexyldecanoate),2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide (ALC-0159)
– 1,2-distearoyl-snglycero-3-phosphocholine (DPSC)
– cholesterol
🧪 Four different types of salts, which combine to form phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), a very common drug ingredient that stabilizes the acidity of the mixture. Those salts are:
– Potassium chloride
– Monobasic potassium phosphate
– Sodium chloride
– Basic sodium phosphate dihydrate
🧪 Sugar (sucrose).
The Moderna vaccine contains:
🧪Messenger RNA (aka mRNA). A molecule made in a lab out of smaller molecules.
🧪A slightly different blend of four different fat molecules:
– SM-102
– Polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG]
– Cholesterol
– 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]
🧪 Four ingredients that stabilize the acidity of the mixture: acetic acid, tromethamine (an acid stabilizer), tromethamine hydrochloride (an acid stabilizer), and sodium acetate (a salt).
🧪 Sugar (sucrose).
In both cases, this ingredient list has been reviewed by the FDA and is printed on the vaccine package inserts.
What’s NOT in either vaccine:
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain no fetal tissue or cells, or derivatives of fetal tissue or cells. In fact, they do not contain human cells or derivatives of human cells of any kind. They also don’t contain animal cells or any other type of cell.
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are not manufactured using cells, including human cells or other animal cells.
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain no pork or pork by-products.
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain no shellfish or shellfish by-products and are not manufactured using shellfish.
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain no peanut, tree nut, wheat, soy, milk, fish, shellfish, or any other common food allergens.
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain no egg and are not manufactured using eggs.
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain no part of any virus.
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain no thimerosal, mercury, or aluminum.
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain no preservatives.
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain no latex, and the vials do not have latex stoppers.
⛔ The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain no microchips. Sometimes syringes have a microchip on the outside that is scanned for quick input to a digital health record. This microchip is permanently attached to the syringe and can not enter your body.
