A vial labelled “Novavax V COVID-19 Vaccine” is seen on this illustration taken January 16, 2022.
Dado Ruvic | Reuters
The Meals and Drug Administration approved Novavax‘s up to date protein-based Covid vaccine for emergency use in folks ages 12 and up on Friday, paving the way in which for the shot to compete with Pfizer and Moderna‘s jabs this fall and winter.
Novavax’s vaccine targets the extremely contagious omicron subvariant JN.1, which started circulating broadly within the U.S. earlier this 12 months. JN.1 solely accounted for 0.2% of circumstances circulating nationwide as of this week, in accordance with the most recent Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention information.
Novavax manufactures protein-based vaccines, which can’t be rapidly up to date to focus on one other pressure of the virus.
Regardless of that, the biotech firm has famous that its shot supplies safety towards descendants of JN.1 which might be presently dominant within the U.S., together with KP.2.3, KP.3, KP.3.1.1 and LB.1.
“Our up to date vaccine targets JN.1, the ‘mum or dad pressure’ of presently circulating variants, and has proven sturdy cross-reactivity towards JN.1 lineage viruses,” Novavax CEO John Jacobs mentioned in an announcement.
Novavax mentioned it expects its shot to be “broadly obtainable” in hundreds of places throughout the U.S., together with retail and unbiased pharmacies and regional grocers.
Shares of Novavax rose greater than 8% on Friday following the announcement.
The FDA’s choice comes solely per week after it permitted a brand new spherical of messenger RNA photographs from Pfizer and Moderna, which each goal one other offshoot of JN.1 known as KP.2. Final 12 months, the company approved Novavax’s shot practically a month after clearing vaccines from its rivals, placing the corporate at an obstacle.
Public well being officers see Novavax’s vaccine as a invaluable various for individuals who do not need to take mRNA photographs from Pfizer and Moderna, which use a more moderen vaccine methodology to show cells how you can make proteins that set off an immune response towards Covid. Novavax’s shot, in the meantime, fends off the virus with protein-based expertise, a decades-old methodology utilized in routine vaccinations towards hepatitis B and shingles.
It is unclear how many individuals will get a brand new Covid shot this fall and winter.
Solely round 22.5% of U.S. adults acquired the most recent spherical of photographs that got here out final fall, in accordance with CDC information by way of early Could.
