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We’re on the cusp of fall, which means respiratory infections like the flu, RSV, and COVID are expected to continue to spread as the weather gets colder and more people stay indoors.
Fortunately, we have vaccines in stock to prevent respiratory viruses from becoming serious diseases. In addition to flu vaccines for the general public and RSV vaccines for older adults And pregnant peopleNew COVID vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax are available this season to reduce the risk of hospitalization.
This means adults can choose which COVID vaccine they get: an mRNA vaccine from Moderna or Pfizer, or Novavax, a protein-based vaccine that attacks the virus in a more “traditional” way. All three have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While Moderna and Pfizer have been widely used in recent years, the Novavax vaccine is gaining traction.
Novavax, a protein-based vaccine, is an option for those who don’t want to or can’t take an mRNA vaccine. Novavax may also appeal to those who want to experiment with the “mix-and-match” approach of COVID boosters as a way to potentially bolster the immune response.
“While mRNA vaccines dominate the COVID vaccine market, it remains important to have multiple different types of technologies against different pathogens, as each may have specific use cases,” Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said in an email.
Here’s everything we know about Novavax this year.
How is Novavax different from Pfizer and Moderna?
Novavax is a protein-based vaccine, which people associate with a “traditional” approach to vaccination. This is compared to mRNA technologywhere no dead or weakened virus is used as an ingredient in the vaccine, but instead the genetic code is used to instruct the recipient’s immune system how to respond.
However, Adalja said it is a “misnomer” to call Novavax traditional, because it brings its own innovation. Novavax uses an insect virus that has been genetically engineered to express spike proteins, Adalja explained, which are then incorporated into the vaccine.
“The vaccine itself is coupled with an immune system booster called an adjuvant, which boosts immunity,” he said, referring to a element existing vaccines are also included.
There are also slight differences between Novavax and the updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna this year. Both mRNA vaccines have been modified to target the KP.2 strain of COVID-19, which is a slightly more recent version of the virus than what Novavax is targeting, namely KP.2’s “parent,” JN.1. While the FDA finally decided FP.2 was preferred in vaccines. All vaccines are expected to protect against serious disease and death.
Who is Novavax suitable for? Does Novavax have different side effects?
Novavax was authorized by the FDA for use in adults and children 12 and older, so younger children cannot get this vaccine. But for most adults, the COVID vaccine you choose will depend on your preference and what your local pharmacy has in stock.
However, people may choose Novavax for a variety of reasons. For people who don’t want an mRNA vaccine, having a protein-based vaccine like Novavax available means they can still get vaccinated for the fall and winter seasons.
Other people may be interested in Novavax because of its use in the ‘mix-and-match’ approach to stimulation, which in the past is associated with a strong immune response.
There is something early research That suggests Novavax may have fewer short-term side effects, such as muscle fatigue and nausea, but “we can’t say for sure,” Joshua Murdock, pharmacist and pharmacy editor for GoodRx, said in an email.
“This is not proven and side effects vary from person to person,” Murdock said, adding that the CDC does not recommend one vaccine over another, even for people with weakened immune systems.
In general, mRNA vaccines have been shown to be fairly “reactogenic” compared to other vaccines, Adalja said, noting that it also depends on the individual. But if someone had a bad experience with the mRNA vaccine, Adalja said, “they may do better with the Novavax vaccine.”
Some flu-like side effects can be expected after the vaccination, regardless of which one you choose. These include symptoms such as headache, fatigue, a sore arm, and even chills. Not experiencing symptoms does not mean your immune system is not working, but experiencing some side effects can signal that your immune system is responding to the shock, so to speak.
In rare cases, myocarditis or heart inflammation problems have been linked to COVID vaccination, particularly in younger males and adolescents within two weeks of vaccination. Research to date shows that Novavax, like mRNA vaccinescan also cause this rare side effect.
With COVID cases soaring in the U.S. this summer, more information is needed to determine how all the vaccines and their new, tailored formulations perform against the virus that is expected to continue to spread this fall and winter.
“There is no strong evidence that one vaccine is better than another for specific individuals, but that will be an important area of research for more precise vaccine recommendations,” Adalja said.
How do I find a Novavax vaccine?
Novavax announced on September 13 that doses of the vaccine will be available at the following pharmacies:
- Other independent pharmacies or grocers
Novavax also has a vaccine finder on its website. To use it, type your zip code into the little search box and it will show you nearby pharmacies that have the vaccine in stock.
