Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Gets Key Approval

CDC panel recommends protein-based COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 and up

July 19, 2022

Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine cleared an important regulatory hurdle this afternoon.

During a daylong meeting, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) unanimously recommended the vaccine, known as Adjuvanted, be available for people 18 and older. Next, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky will have to formally sign off on the recommendation before the vaccine can be administered to the public.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Details:  The two-dose vaccine would be available for people 18 and older as a primary series. The vaccine will require additional regulatory review before it can be administered as a booster dose.
• Millions still unvaccinated:  Between 26 million and 37 million U.S. adults have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine. During May, unvaccinated adults had 3.5 times the risk of hospitalization compared to those who had received a primary series and a booster.
• The state of the pandemic:  The seven-day average of new cases in the U.S. is about 122,000. New hospital admissions for patients with COVID-19 are up about 8 percent week over week in the U.S.
• Different technology:  The protein-based COVID-19 vaccine would offer another option for protection against the virus. Committee members said they hoped having another vaccine would provide a tool to combat vaccine hesitancy.
• Next up:  Currently, second booster doses are available for people 50 and older. ACIP members said they expected to meet again soon to determine next steps for boosters for the general public, including the potential for Omicron-specific vaccines.

HAP will continue to monitor the latest COVID-19 public health developments and provide updates to members. Learn more about the vaccine appointments available in your area.

A replay of the meeting, as well as the presentation materials, is available online. A fact sheet for health care providers also is online.