On October 3, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of a new, updated vaccine from Novavax against COVID-19 variants. The protein-based Novavax vaccine will join the ranks of the recently updated mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. According to the FDA, the Novavax vaccine helps protect against the XBB.1.5 Omicron variant, also known as the "Kraken" variant, for people aged 12 and older. The vaccine will be available at major vaccination locations soon, including Costco, CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid, USA Today reported. This week the FDA approved an updated version of a COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax. This shot is effective at preventing infection with Omicron strains of the virus. For some, the Novavax vaccine may have fewer side effects compared to mRNA vaccines. Although protein and mRNA vaccines work differently, they are both effective at preventing COVID-19 infection and severe illness. These updated vaccines are even more protective against newer COVID-19 variants, like the XBB.1.5 variant, which skyrocketed in January 2023. They may also be effective against other descendants of the Omicron variant, like EG.5, also known as "Eris," which is currently the dominant strain in the US. But they haven't been tested against all the currently circulating sub-variants. For healthy people, both types of vaccine will produce a similar immune response.
This week the FDA approved an updated version of a COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax. This shot is effective at preventing infection with Omicron strains of the virus. For some, the Novavax vaccine may have fewer side effects compared to mRNA vaccines.
Although protein and mRNA vaccines work differently, they are both effective at preventing COVID-19 infection and severe illness. These updated vaccines are even more protective against newer COVID-19 variants, like the XBB.1.5 variant, which skyrocketed in January 2023. They may also be effective against other descendants of the Omicron variant, like EG.5, also known as "Eris," which is currently the dominant strain in the US. But they haven't been tested against all the currently circulating sub-variants. For healthy people, both types of vaccine will produce a similar immune response.