On July 13, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine under an emergency use authorization (EUA). Novavax is the fourth COVID-19 vaccine to receive authorization and anyone age 18 or older is eligible to receive this vaccine, in accordance with current vaccine guidance. On July 19, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced their recommendation of the Novavax vaccine to be used as another primary series option for adults ages 18 years and older.
According to the Department of Health (DOH) Vaccine Partner Newsletter, Washington state is currently awaiting the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup (WSSSRW) vote on this vaccine. If the Novavax vaccine is recommended by WSSSRW, Washington will receive limited quantities of the vaccine. In this case, the Novavax vaccine will be available as a two-dose primary series to adults 18 and older.
How does the Novavax vaccine work?
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine, a technology that has been used to develop other familiar vaccines such as hepatitis B, shingles and HPV over the past 30 years.
To understand how protein subunit COVID-19 vaccines work, consult this explanation from the CDC:
Protein subunit vaccines contain pieces (proteins) of the virus that causes COVID-19. These virus pieces are the spike protein. The vaccine also contains another ingredient called an adjuvant that helps the immune system respond to that spike protein in the future. Once the immune system knows how to respond to the spike protein, the immune system will be able to respond quickly to the actual virus spike protein and protect you against COVID-19.
- First, protein subunit COVID-19 vaccines are given in the upper arm muscle. After vaccination, nearby cells pick up these proteins.
- Next, our immune system recognizes that these proteins do not belong there. Another ingredient in the vaccine, the adjuvant, helps our immune system to produce antibodies and activate other immune cells to fight off what it thinks is an infection. This is what your body might do if you got sick with COVID-19.
- At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to help protect against future infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. The benefit is that people get this protection from a vaccine, without ever having to risk the potentially serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19. Common side effects from getting the vaccine are normal signs the body is building protection.