One Million Nuvaxovid Vaccines Available in the U.K.

Maryland-based Novavax, Inc. today announced that an initial one million doses of Nuvaxovid™ COVID-19 vaccine are now available for use in the United Kingdom and will be offered per the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's updated advice.

Nuvaxovid is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine granted authorization from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

"With U.K. data showing that people infected with both COVID-19 and the flu are more than five times as likely to die compared to someone with no infection, it is more important than ever to consider any vaccine offered to you by the National Health Service," said Stanley C. Erck, President, and CEO, Novavax, in a related press release.

"We continue to believe in the importance of a diversified national vaccine portfolio to reduce winter pressures on the health service."

The MHRA granted Conditional Marketing Authorization (CMA) for Nuvaxovid's use as a two-dose primary series vaccine for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 in adults in February 2022 and adolescents in August 2022.

Novavax submitted a request to the MHRA for expanded CMA of Nuvaxovid as a booster in adults aged 18 and older in June 2022 and is awaiting a decision from the agency.

Dr. Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the U.K. Health Security Agency stated, "Although cases of COVID-19 are relatively low at present, we expect to see the virus circulating more widely during the winter months."

"The booster is offered to those at higher risk of severe illness. By taking up the booster vaccine this autumn, you will increase your protection ahead of the winter months, when respiratory viruses are typically at their peak."

Nuvaxovid contains purified protein antigen and can neither replicate nor can it cause COVID-19, says the company.

The U.S. FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted, on July 13, 2022, to prevent COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in adults.

Note: This press release was manually translated and curated for mobile readers.