The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the shelf life of the Pfizer gray cap presentation (age 12 years and older) and the Pfizer orange cap presentation (ages 5-11 years) by 3 months from 9 months to 12 months from the date of manufacture. The extension is based on ongoing stability data, according to the FDA.
Regardless of storage condition, orange cap and gray cap vaccine vials should not be used after 12 months from the date of manufacture printed on the vial and cartons.
Doses of the purple cap presentation (age 12 years and older), with an expiry date of September 2021 to March 2022 (printed on the label), may remain in use for 3 months beyond the printed date if vials are maintained in the approved storage conditions of minus 90° Celsius to minus 60° Celsius (minus 130° Fahrenheit to minus 76° Fahrenheit).
Below, you will find tables with updated expiry dates:
Proper Disposal of Expired COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccine providers should follow the steps below to properly discard expired or unusable COVID-19 vaccines.
- Expired COVID-19 vaccines should be removed immediately from storage units to avoid inadvertently administering them.
- Providers should dispose of expired COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with local regulations and processes used to dispose of regulated infectious waste. For more information on disposing of infectious waste, visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency website.
For more information, please review Pfizer’s Expiry Information for Pfizer Vaccine Presentations handout.
If you have any questions or issues, please call the ODH Provider Call Center between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1.844.9ODHVAX (1.844.963.4829) or email COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov.