Covid 19 Vaccines Update: Novavax Readies for Rollout

Latest Development in Covid 19 Vaccines

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently authorized an updated version of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccines for use in people aged 12 and older. Doses are expected to be accessible by the end of next week.

Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, stated, “The COVID-19 vaccines have had a tremendous positive impact on public health and vaccination continues to be the most effective method for COVID-19 prevention.” He emphasized the ongoing risk of COVID-19, encouraging eligible individuals to receive updated vaccines.

Why Novavax?

The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine is unique as it is protein-based, taking longer to manufacture compared to mRNA vaccines like those from Pfizer and Moderna. This type of vaccine works by training the immune system to recognize specific modified pieces of the virus, particularly the coronavirus spike protein.

Current Vaccination Recommendations

• Everyone over 6 months is advised to get both an updated Covid-19 vaccine and a flu shot this year.
• The FDA has also greenlit updated mRNA-based shots from Moderna and Pfizer.
• The Novavax vaccine is expected to be widely available across the country through various retailers and pharmacies.

Addressing the Ongoing Threat

Recent CDC data indicates that levels of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater are extremely high, marking the most significant summer peak in the US since July 2022. Monitoring these levels helps assess the spread of the virus as testing rates decline.