Novavax: Uses, Side Effect, Benefit, Price, Related Warnings

Novavax is the fourth vaccine against the coronavirus authorized for Use in the United States. The vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine comprising the SARS-CoV2 spike protein and an adjuvant. The adjuvant boosts the vaccine's immune response, making it more effective than other existing vaccines. Scroll down to read detailed information about Novavax Use, benefits, price, side effects, and related warnings.

Novavax Uses - 

• Novavax COVID-19 vaccine utilizes the traditional technology of incorporating the spike protein of the virus. This is similar to vaccines that protect against flu and Hepatitis.
• The novel vaccine offers an efficacy rate of over 90% against most coronavirus variants.
• Novavax involves a two-part administration with a gap of 3-8 weeks between the first and second doses.
• The vaccine is safe to use in children aged 12-17 years.
• A safe booster dose is available for adults who have completed a series of primary vaccinations.

Benefits of the Novavax vaccine -

The Novavaxs vaccine aims to protect against sickness and death caused by the COVID-19 virus. The vaccine has several benefits that include:

• It prevents the COVID-19 virus from harming the body
• Builds immunity against the virus. 
• An efficacy rate of more than 90%
• Keeps you healthy
• Side effects are short-lived.
• Short interval period. The vaccine can easily be taken with a gap of 21 days between the first and second doses.
• The vaccine does not interfere with diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid disorders.
• It does not cause any disease after vaccination. It is only meant to prevent disease, not cause it.
• Treating the COVID-19 infection can be expensive. Therefore, preventing the infection by taking the vaccine is a safer option.

"This vaccine contains harmless spike protein subunits with an adjuvant added to boost immune response. And unlike mRNA vaccines, protein-based vaccines do not contain any genetic material." -Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, MD, AMA liaison to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also, Read Understanding the New Covid-19 Variant, Omicron BF.7, and What India Should Do To Prepare?

Novavax v/s Other approved vaccines -

The types of vaccines currently approved for Use in the public domain are:

1. The messenger RNA vaccines -

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines contain mRNA, a single-stranded genetic material encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles delivered into the human body. Once administered, the human cells read the mRNA as instructions to build the spike proteins of the virus.  Thus, the human body is tricked into producing the viral protein. The immune response then generates antibodies that fight against future infection by the virus. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines.

2. The vector vaccines -

Vector vaccines such as Covishield and Janssen contain an inactive form of the virus as a vehicle to transport DNA (instructions) into the body. Like mRNA vaccines, the body's cells produce the spike protein, generating an immune response.

3. The protein subunit vaccines

This is the best method of preparation for vaccines. The Hepatitis B vaccine was first approved for use over 30 years ago. The method has been well-known, tried, and tested over the years. The safety and efficacy of these vaccines are studied extensively. Novavax is an example of this class of vaccines.

What makes Novavax a safer vaccine?

While companies such as Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson raced to emerge first in giving the world its emergency COVID-19 vaccine, Novavax took a different approach.  Novavax provided a vaccine that is safe for more than one reason:

• It utilizes a well-known technique to formulate the vaccine.
• This technique was developed 30 years ago to create a vaccine for Influenza and Hepatitis.
• The method is not new, which means several years of research and safety studies have been done on this technique. There is data that shows the safety of this type of vaccine.
• Novavax does not contain foreign genetic material. It does not alter any system in your body. Thus, the vaccine can be taken by people who worry about injecting themselves with unknown foreign substances.
• The novel vaccine also contains an adjuvant. This increases the immune response to a vaccine. As a result, a higher, more potent immunity response is possible with a small dose (only 0.5ml) of this vaccine.

Who can take Novavax?

• Unlike other approved vaccines, Novavax can be safely administered to children aged 12-17.
• Adults above 18 who have strong immunity can be administered both doses of the Novavax vaccine.
• The vaccine can be taken by patients who were previously infected by COVID-19. It is advised to maintain a delay of a minimum of 3 months for post-COVID-19 infection.
• Safety studies of the vaccine suggest that pregnant and lactating women can safely take Novavax.
• Novavax does not contain a live virus. It is unlikely to be a risk to breastfeeding mothers and the infants being fed.

Also, Read Ministry's COVID-19 Advisory For Senior Citizens & Care Givers

Dosing and Administration -

Novavax has been approved for a dual-dose primary series of vaccination. Each dose is administered intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle of the arm. The second dose is taken 3-8 weeks after the first dose. People above 50 must take an additional booster dose one year after the second dose. This is because the immune response to a vaccine lasts only 6 months and 1 year for older people.  A second booster dose is also recently approved to maintain the continued efficacy of the vaccine against coronavirus disease.  

Possible Side Effects of Novavax - 

As with every other potent vaccine, Novavax may cause a few common side effects as:

• Swelling and redness at the site of injection
• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache 
• Weakness, light-headedness
• Shortness of breath

More serious side effects, though less common, have been reported. Seek immediate medical care and health advice immediately if one or more of these symptoms are being experienced by you:

• Blurred vision, tunnel vision
• Abnormal pounding heartbeat, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscles), pericarditis (inflammation of tissues surrounding the heart)
• Dizziness, fainting
• Tremors, stiffening of muscles 
• Severe headache, delusion, and confusion with associated slurred speech.

Availability and Price -

Novavax is sold under the brand name CovovaxTM in India. It is the second vaccine that is manufactured at the Serum Institute in India (SII).  CovovaxTM is available in a 5ml multidose (10 doses) vial for administration in children and adults. The vaccine will not be available at the government vaccination center. Novavax is currently included in the Cowin portal for easy vaccination at your nearest private vaccination centers. It is priced at a rate of Rs 225 per dose, excluding taxes.

Precautionary warning -

Safety studies conducted on Novavax showed that the vaccine causes side effects to the heart. These severe side effects are termed myocarditis and pericarditis.  Patients diagnosed with heart conditions and who have undergone any surgery related to the heart or cardiovascular system should be cautioned of this undesired severe side effect. The vaccine is also contraindicated in patients with a history of allergic reactions to any constituent present in the vaccine.  Also. Read CORONAVIRUS DECLARED A PANDEMIC - COVID-19 & GOVERNMENT MEASURES GO GLOBAL

Conclusion -

Novavax is an innovative vaccine that uses traditional vaccine technology already known to us. It has a safety profile similar to other well-known vaccines discussed above. This makes Novavax a much safer vaccine for young adolescents and pregnant women.  But irrespective of the vaccine you choose, remember to be safe from the COVID-19 virus by taking every precaution guideline laid down by the WHO in the interest of public safety,

• wear a mask
• maintain social distancing
• stay healthy. 

Your safety is in your hands.