The FDA has granted “emergency use authorization (EUA) for an updated version of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine that more closely targets currently circulating variants to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.”
Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, says that “COVID-19 continues to be a very real risk for many people, and we encourage individuals to consider getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine when eligible. Today’s authorization provides an additional COVID-19 vaccine option that meets the FDA’s standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization.”
The vaccine is approved for individuals 12 years of age or older. Those who have been vaccinated with “a prior formula of a COVID-19 vaccine from another manufacturer or with two or more doses of a prior formula of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to receive a single dose of the updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months after the last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.”
The vaccine may cause individuals to “experience similar side effects as those reported by individuals who received previous formulas of this COVID-19 vaccine and as described in the fact sheets.”
