Nuvaxovid, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Novavax, has just been given regulatory approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Thus it becomes the fifth Covid vaccine approved in the UK.
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Chair of the independent Commission on Human Medicines, said:
"The independent Commission on Human Medicines and its COVID-19 Expert Working Group has carefully considered the available evidence on safety, quality and effectiveness. We are pleased to say that we have advised that the benefit risk balance of Nuvaxovid is positive.
Nuvaxovid is distinct from other COVID-19 vaccines currently in use in the UK as it uses recombinant protein-based technology which has been used for many years in the development of vaccines to prevent other illnesses, for example Hepatitis B. In reaching its decision, the MHRA considered the results of 2 large clinical trials involving nearly 50,000 participants."
PS: Nuvaxovid is the Covid vaccine develped by Novavax. Basically it uses Moth Cells & Tree bark. Unlike mRNA (Pfizer & Moderna) or Viral-Vector (Sputnik & AZ), the Nuvaxovid is a Protein Subunit Vaccine.
It contains a protein (from Moth cells) plus an adjuvant named Matrix-M, which is based on a saponin extracted from the soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria).
Using the Matrix-M adjuvant, a smaller dose of spike protein achieves the desired immune response.
The vaccines has no genetic material - only proteins. It's just like a traditional protein based Flu vaccine. Once again, this vaccine too is based on the Spike protein and thus could work differently with the variants. However, Novavax claims that vaccine is effective in generating an immune response against the Omicron variant,
They also say that they are already developing an Omicron-specific vaccine and expects to begin manufacturing doses of the variant-specific shot very soon.
Nuvaxovid will be given as two separate 0.5 mL injections, three weeks apart. It's approved only for those above 18 years of age.
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Chair of the independent Commission on Human Medicines, said:
"The independent Commission on Human Medicines and its COVID-19 Expert Working Group has carefully considered the available evidence on safety, quality and effectiveness. We are pleased to say that we have advised that the benefit risk balance of Nuvaxovid is positive.
Nuvaxovid is distinct from other COVID-19 vaccines currently in use in the UK as it uses recombinant protein-based technology which has been used for many years in the development of vaccines to prevent other illnesses, for example Hepatitis B. In reaching its decision, the MHRA considered the results of 2 large clinical trials involving nearly 50,000 participants."
PS: Nuvaxovid is the Covid vaccine develped by Novavax. Basically it uses Moth Cells & Tree bark. Unlike mRNA (Pfizer & Moderna) or Viral-Vector (Sputnik & AZ), the Nuvaxovid is a Protein Subunit Vaccine.
It contains a protein (from Moth cells) plus an adjuvant named Matrix-M, which is based on a saponin extracted from the soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria).
Using the Matrix-M adjuvant, a smaller dose of spike protein achieves the desired immune response.
The vaccines has no genetic material - only proteins. It's just like a traditional protein based Flu vaccine. Once again, this vaccine too is based on the Spike protein and thus could work differently with the variants. However, Novavax claims that vaccine is effective in generating an immune response against the Omicron variant,
They also say that they are already developing an Omicron-specific vaccine and expects to begin manufacturing doses of the variant-specific shot very soon.
Nuvaxovid will be given as two separate 0.5 mL injections, three weeks apart. It's approved only for those above 18 years of age.
