Novavax said on Tuesday (Dec 22) that a panel of specialists from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved a third dosage of their vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, for immunocompromised individuals. The WHO’s SAGE (Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation) published a set of recommendations, including the use of the vaccination in people with comorbidities, nursing mothers, and HIV-positive people. Independent specialists who reviewed the Novavax data concluded that the vaccine might be administered in pregnant women if the benefits of immunization outweighed the dangers. Novavax’s vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, received an emergency use listing from the WHO on Friday, clearing the way for its use in low- and middle-income nations, where dissemination has been slower than in Europe. Novavax announced on Monday that it has secured an emergency use listing from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its own version of the vaccine, which it will distribute in Europe and other countries.
What is the dose that is suggested?
SAGE advises giving two doses (0.5 ml) of the Novavax (NVX-CoV2373) vaccination intramuscularly. The two dosages should be separated by three to four weeks. According to SAGE, those who are severely or moderately immunocompromised should be given an extra vaccination dosage. This is because this group is more likely to have a poor response to immunization after completing a conventional primary vaccine series and is at a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness.
What is the vaccine’s efficacy?
Three Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Novavax (NVX-CoV2373). The vaccine’s effectiveness against mild, moderate, and severe illness was determined to be 90% in both Phase 3 studies.
