Australians will soon have access to a fourth Covid vaccine, Novavax. This is when it’s now expected to roll out.
A date for the long-awaited arrival of the Novavax Covid vaccine has been announced, but Australians have been warned not to sleep on the three existing options.
Novavax obtained tentative approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) last week, and today Health Minister Greg Hunt revealed it had got the green light from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) as well.
Mr Hunt said the government now expects Novavax to become available to the public on February 21, as long as it passes rigorous batch testing.
“What happens from here is now that we’ve got the double green light in Australia, stocks will be released, provided to Australia, the TGA will go through a detailed batch testing process, as this will be the first such shipment we have received, and presuming that’s deemed to be safe and in line with all of the data and science that we have received to date, then that fourth vaccine will be made available from the week of 21 February,” Mr Hunt said.
Recipients will complete a two-dose course of Novavax, with a wait of at least three weeks between doses, according to ATAGI advice.
Mr Hunt said because it is a protein-based vaccine, it may be suitable for people who have had “had contrary indications or reactions with regards to other vaccines”.
“This will provide an additional opportunity for them, as well as those who for whatever reason have not taken up the program so far,” he said.
There had also been two “critical developments” in the country’s Covid management, Mr Hunt added, referencing a “clear decrease” in both case numbers and hospitalisations.
“That in turn will have an impact on ICU and ventilation numbers and lives saved,” he said.
More than 48 million doses of the Covid vaccines have been administered across the country, including almost two million in the last week, he said.
Eligible Australians were urged to continue in their uptake of existing vaccines Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca, and not hold out for Novavax’s arrival.
“I do want to encourage everyone, unless there’s a contrary indication, please continue to come forward and take the existing vaccines, the Pfizer, the Moderna, the AstraZeneca, depending upon your circumstances, but if you do have a contraindication, for those for whatever reason have not felt comfortable joining the program so far, this is your opportunity,” said Mr Hunt.
“It can be taken by those who have had Covid, on the advice of ATAGI, and for the severely immunocompromised, three doses are recommended, as is the case with the other vaccines.”
Lieutenant General John Frewen, the co-ordinator of the nation’s vaccine rollout, told 4BC last week some people may have been holding out for the Novavax to become available.
“We think that approval is imminent, and again we are ready to distribute it across the country,” Gen Frewen said.
“We think there’s around 1-2 per cent of the population that have been holding out for Novavax.
“That’s the choice they have made, but once it’s approved it will be available … they will be able to get it as quickly as they can.”
Novavax was developed using older, protein-based technology that some members of the public may feel more comfortable taking. Australia already has a deal in place for 51 million doses of Novavax to be available immediately should it get the nod by relevant health bodies.
Mr Hunt said Australia would share any surplus doses “with our Pacific neighbours”.
What is the Novavax vaccine?
Novavax is Australia’s first “protein sub-unit” vaccine.
Unlike existing options such as AstraZeneca, which is a “vector” vaccine, and Moderna and Pfizer, which are both messenger RNA (“mRNA”) vaccines, the TGA explains that protein vaccines “use a non-infectious component found on the surface of the coronavirus and are manufactured in cells in a laboratory”.
After vaccination, immune cells recognise the vaccine protein as foreign and launch an immune response against it.
For that reason, it is considered to be more of a “traditional” vaccine. In contrast, the Australian Government’s Department of Health website explains that the AstraZeneca vaccine uses a harmless, weakened animal virus (called a viral vector) that contains the genetic code for the coronavirus spike protein.
Once this enters the body, it tells cells to produce copies of the spike protein. A person’s immune cells then recognise the spike protein as a threat and start to build an immune response against it.
Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines, which mean they work by using a genetic code called RNA to make a person’s cells produce the coronavirus’ specific spike protein.
The immune system cells then recognise the spike protein as a threat and begin building an immune response against it.
The RNA from the vaccine does not change your DNA in any way, and your body quickly breaks it down.
These jabs do not contain any live virus and cannot give you Covid.
How will it be administered?
The TGA has approved Novavax for Aussies aged 18 years and older.
It is recommended that the vaccine is given in two doses, which are to be administered three weeks apart.
At the moment, it is only approved as a two-dose course, which means Novavax boosters are not yet an option.
Why are ‘anti-vaxxers’ excited about it?
TGA boss Professor John Skerritt acknowledged that there was a significant amount of interest in Novavax among those who have so far been hesitant to take other doses, given Novavax was a more “traditional” type of vaccine which most of us have had previously.
For that reason, many Australians have claimed to be more comfortable rolling up their sleeves for Novavax – and it could be good news for our already stellar vaccination rate.
“There are some individuals who have been waiting for Novavax and it’s great that it’s finally been approved,” Prof Skerritt told reporters last week.
“Our dream is that we might turn our 95 per cent [vaccination rate] into 97 or 98 per cent in this country. Who knows.
“The technology on which it is made is an older technology; it uses a protein.
“I would have had several hundred emails from individuals and groups who have said for whatever reason we would like to have [this] particular vaccine … this just gives them further choice.”
What are the side effects?
Like all vaccines, there’s a small risk of side effects, although the vast majority will be mild and temporary, such as a sore arm or muscle aches, headaches or fatigue.
Preliminary phase 3 results indicate that the incidence of serious adverse events was low.
Originally published as Novavax vaccine approved: When new Covid shot will be available in Australia
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