Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted, Receives FDA Emergency Use Approval for Patients 12 Years and Older

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted, for patients 12 years and older to with COVID-19.¹

The Novavax vaccine contains the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and Matrix-M adjuvant. The spike protein in this specific vaccine is produced in insect cells. According to the FDA, adjuvants are combined with vaccines to increase the overall immune response. The Matrix-M adjuvant includes saponin extracts from the bark of the native Chilean soapbark tree.

Similar to other currently available COVID-19 vaccines, there are a few reported adverse effects. The most commonly reported adverse effects reported by Novavax vaccine recipients included fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, pain-tenderness, headache, nausea/vomiting, and fever. The vaccine is given as a 2-dose primary series, given 3 weeks apart.

Novavax joins the growing list of COVID-19 vaccines, including vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen.²

For more information on the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine visit www.FDA.gov.

References:

1. Novavax covid-19 vaccine, adjuvanted. FDA. August 19, 2022. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/novavax-covid-19-vaccine-adjuvanted
2. COVID-19 Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 19, 2022. Accessed August 22, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html