The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have authorized a fourth, more traditional type of vaccine for COVID-19 for people ages 18 and older. The new vaccine was developed by Novavax Inc., and Iowans played a role in providing the proof that the vaccine is safe and effective.
UI Health Care was a site for Novavax’s large multi-site Phase 3 trial. One hundred and fifty Iowans participated in the study, which found that the vaccine has comparable efficacy to other currently authorized or approved vaccines and led to the FDA and CDC granting emergency use authorization.
“We are proud of the role we have played in developing safe and effective vaccines that stop the spread of COVID-19, including the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and now the Novavax vaccine,” says Patricia Winokur, MD, executive dean of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, and principal investigator for the UI trial site for both the Novavax vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. “I think this latest vaccine may be particularly helpful for people who are still hesitant to use the newer mRNA vaccines. The Novavax vaccine uses technology that is similar to more traditional vaccines, such as seasonal flu shots.”
All the COVID-19 vaccines work by teaching the immune system to recognize the “spike” protein that covers the surface of the COVID-19 virus. While the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines use mRNA to generate that immune response, the Novavax vaccine delivers the pre-made spike protein itself along with a compound that stimulates the immune system. Because the vaccine does not contain the whole virus, it cannot cause COVID-19. This so-called subunit vaccine technology has previously been used for flu shots and routine childhood immunizations like whooping cough (pertussis), though the Novavax vaccine uses a purified protein encased in a lipid nanoparticle.
The Novavax vaccine, which is administered as two doses, three weeks apart, can also be stored at refrigerator temperatures, making it more appropriate for small clinical practices and other countries that don’t have the same infrastructure as the U.S.
“We are excited to have yet another safe and effective vaccine available to the public in a short period of time. The rapid development of these life-saving vaccines is thanks to decades of foundational research by scientists and researchers at academic medical centers like UI Health Care,” Winokur adds.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce hospitalizations, it is important that as many people as possible get vaccinated. UI Health Care encourages anyone who is currently unvaccinated to consider your vaccine options, including the new Novavax vaccine, and talk to your health care provider if you have questions.