Canada Authorizes Novavax’s Non-MRNA Covid Vaccine For Use In Adults
Topline
Canadian well being regulators on Thursday authorized use of Novavax’s Nuvaxovid, a Covid vaccine made utilizing conventional protein-based know-how fairly than newer mRNA strategies.
Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures
Key Info
Nuvaxovid is the primary protein subunit Covid vaccine approved in Canada, which public well being consultants hope might persuade some who’re fearful of mRNA vaccines to get the jab.
In January, Canada agreed to buy 52 million doses of Nuvaxovid, with the choice to buy 24 million extra doses, Novavax introduced.
Nuvaxovid was 90.4% efficient at stopping Covid an infection and 100% efficient at stopping critical signs throughout scientific trials, in response to a study revealed December 15 within the New England Journal of Drugs.
Trials confirmed few extreme negative effects, the most typical reactions being headache, nausea, muscle ache and joint stiffness, Novavax stated.
Canada’s well being division, which cleared the vaccine for individuals aged 18 and up, recommended two doses be administered 21 days aside, although provinces and territories will decide sufferers’ vaccination schedules.
Key Background
Whereas mRNA vaccines function by educating the cell to make a protein that stimulates immune response in opposition to a virus, protein subunit vaccines instantly introduce innocent items of viral proteins to create an immune response. Although mRNA vaccines have been confirmed safe and effective, conspiracy theories declare that they’re inadequately examined, trigger infertility, alter DNA or promote Covid an infection. Due to this, it’s hoped that protein-based vaccines like Nuvaxovid will assist scale back vaccine hesitancy. Nuvaxovid has obtained conditional authorization from regulatory companies together with the European Fee and the World Well being Group, and was submitted for U.S. Meals and Drug Administration authorization January 31. Novavax CEO Stanley Erck speculated that the FDA might authorize the vaccine in February, although the FDA stated it couldn’t foresee how lengthy it will take to finish an analysis. Novavax is contracted to ship about 2 billion doses of its vaccine worldwide, Erck stated in January.
Huge Quantity
80 million. That’s about how many individuals within the U.S. haven’t but obtained a single dose of Covid vaccine within the U.S., in response to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Additional Studying
“If Permitted, The Novavax Covid-19 Vaccine Might Assist Scale back Vaccine Hesitancy In The U.S.” (Forbes)
“Novavax Asks FDA To Authorize Its Non-mRNA Covid Vaccine” (Forbes)
