Novavax will allow people refractory to vaccines with mRNA vaccines to have another solution to be vaccinated, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday, February 22, during a press briefing. “It is a vaccine whose technology is known and accepted, and which is effective”, supported on this occasion Professor Alain Fischer, who advises the government on the vaccine strategy, even if “RNA vaccines remain most effective”.
The HAS recommends favoring mRNA vaccines as a priority, but it believes that this new vaccine can be offered to people reluctant to RNA vaccines.
The first deliveries (1 million doses) of the vaccine should be made around February 23 or 24, which could allow start vaccinating in early Marchsaid the Ministry of Health.
What is the principle of Novavax?
the Novavax vaccine (Nuvaxovid) is a “good vaccine”, whose “classic” technology has been “proven for years”, reassures Alain Fischer again. It is a vaccine recombinant protein which uses the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 combined with an adjuvant. These two components promote the immune response of B and T lymphocytes against the Spike protein, and stimulate the production of neutralizing antibodies. “This technology has demonstrated its effectiveness and safety in the production of other vaccines that have been used for a long time”, according to the HAS.
What effectiveness against severe forms and transmission?
According to the High Authority for Health, thehe data from the various studies highlight very good efficacy of Nuvaxovid® against symptomatic forms of Covid-19 (nearly 90%)and especially against severe forms with nearly 100% efficacy.
However, long-term efficacy, efficacy against Sars-Cov-2 transmission and efficacy against Delta and Omicron variants remain to be confirmed (they indeed emerged after clinical trials).
Novavax, for whom? How? ‘Or’ What ?
This vaccine has obtained marketing authorization in adults 18 and over. The vaccination schedule requires the administration of 2 doses spaced 3 apart weeksintramuscularly, preferably in the deltoid (arm muscle).
To note ! Although the primary vaccination schedule for the Nuvaxovid® vaccine requires the administration of 2 doses, HAS considers that people who have received a first dose of another vaccine against Covid-19 (Comirnaty®, Spikevax®, Vaxzevria® or Janssen®) and who refuse or cannot receive a second dose of the same vaccine to complete their initial vaccination schedule, can receive their 2nd dose with the Nuvaxovid® vaccine.
This vaccine can be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C, protected from light, for up to 6 months.
Side effects?
Tolerance data is satisfactory, estimates the HAS. The most common side effects are generally “mild” to “moderate” in severity and of short duration : sensitivity (69 %) and pain (58 %) at injection site, fatigue (47 %), headache (43 %) and malaise (37 %). Their frequency is higher in adults under 65 years.
Sources:
- Press briefing from the Ministry of Health, February 22, 2022.
- HAS, January 14, 2022.
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