Here Is What You Need to Know About the Novavax Vaccine

by Aamnah Nazir, Biology Major, 2024

Novavax, also known as NVX-CoV2373, is a protein-based vaccine designed from the genetic sequence of the first strain of SARS-CoV-2. After the genetic code of COVID-19 was sequenced in January 2020, Novavax, a biotechnology firm, began creating a vaccine. The basic technology behind the Novavax vaccine is similar to that of the vaccines for hepatitis B and whooping cough (Satherly, 2022). However, the vaccine technology for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine is mRNA based. University of California Berkeley’s head of infectious diseases, Lee Riley, states that “protein-subunit vaccines are considered the safest form of vaccines, based on a widely used technology” (Satherly, 2022, para. 13). The Novavax vaccine is recommended to people 18 years and older by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization and is administered in two doses, three weeks apart (Willis, 2022).

The clinical trials of the Novavax vaccine generally had promising results, with an overall efficacy of 90 percent against mild, moderate and severe diseases in the two phase 3 trials (World Health Organization, 2021). In its clinical trials, the Novavax vaccine seemed to cause less mild-to-moderate side effects than Pfizer or Moderna. An important note to make as we have discovered in the administration of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines is that some more serious side effects are rare and do not appear until millions of people receive the vaccine. Currently, the known side effects of the Novavax vaccine are common in most vaccines and can include tiredness, headaches, and muscle pain (Australian Government Department of Health, 2021). Novavax later conducted trials in adolescents aged 12 to 17 and recently announced the results in February 2022 with an efficacy against infection of 80 percent. However, the vaccine is not currently available for adolescent use (Geddes, 2022). Novavax later conducted trials in adolescents aged 12 to 17 and recently announced the results in February 2022 with an efficacy against infection of 80 percent. However the vaccine is not currently available for adolescent use (Geddes, 2022).

There are many advantages to a protein based vaccine as opposed to mRNA vaccines, which some are hesitant about. Having a vaccine that is made up of more traditional technology like Novavax can be more convincing for those who choose not to get an mRNA based vaccine. Those who react more severely to the Pfizer vaccine might benefit from the Novavax vaccine as an alternative.

The Novavax vaccine is also easier to store and transfer as it does not require specialized ultra-cold freezers and can be stored in regular fridge temperatures (Satherly, 2022). Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

For use in the U.S., Novavax has officially filed for approval with the FDA. So why hasn’t the Novavax vaccine been administered and distributed to the U.S.? The main difference between the Novavax vaccine and the three vaccines currently being administered in the U.S. is the timing of their rollout. The authorization of these three vaccines for emergency use means that there is no urgency in the Novavax vaccine becoming available in the U.S. This will be true for some time as other vaccines, such as Pfizer, will continue to be in high demand. However, there are many countries that have authorized the use of the Novavax vaccine for emergency use, the first being Indonesia and the Philippines in November, 2021 and, most recently, Australia and the UK as of February 2022 (World Health Organization, 2021).

References

1. Australian Government Department of Health. (2022, February 28). Nuvaxovid (novavax). Australian Government Department of Health. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.health.gov.au/ initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/approved-vaccines/novavax.

2. Geddes, Linda. (2022, February 14). What is the novavax vaccine, and why does the world need another type of COVID-19 vaccine? Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Retrieved March 13, 2022, from https://www.gavi. org/vaccineswork/what-novavax-vaccine-and-why-does-world-need-another-type-covid-19-vaccine.

3. Satherley, D. (2022, March 9). Covid-19: Everything you need to know about the novavax vaccine. NewsHub. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2022/03/ covid-19-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-novavax-vaccine.html.

4. Willis, O. (2022, February 15). Novavax is now available in Australia. Who can get it, and how much protection does it provide? ABC News. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.abc.net.au/news/ health/2022-02-15/novavax-covid-19-vaccine-what-we-know/100828062.

5. World Health Organization. (2021, December 21). The novavax vaccine against COVID-19: What you need to know. World Health Organization. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.who.int/ news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-novavax-vaccine-against-covid-19-what-you-need-to-know.