Vaccination

FDA Approves Emergency Use for Novavax COVID Vaccine

JUN 7 2022·Updated SEP 20 2022

Story

Image credit: Getty Images [via NBC]

The Facts

On Wed., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved emergency use authorization for Novavax's COVID vaccine. The approval provides a fourth vaccine option for American adults who have not yet received their first dose of any other vaccine.
CBS News
Novavax's vaccine uses a protein-based formula while the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are both mRNA-based.
NBC
Adults seeking their first dose of vaccine will receive two shots, 21 days apart.
NBC
Before the vaccine can be released for public use, the CDC must favorably vote to recommend the release. The advisory committee is scheduled to convene on Tue.
wapo
The federal government has purchased 3.2M doses of the vaccine for release in the next few weeks following the completion of quality testing by Novavax.
wapo
As of last month, approximately 76% of adults in the US have received two vaccine doses in the US (mostly from Pfizer and Moderna), while some 27M adults are unvaccinated.
CNBC

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Vaccine conspiracy theories tragically stigmatized mRNA jabs for millions of people in America. An "old school" protein-based jab, similar to the flu shot, could have more appeal to the unvaccinated. US officials bet the farm on mRNA products, and it's wise to offer consumers alternatives.

Los Angeles Times

Narrative B

Novavax is a latecomer to the COVID vaccine landscape, and its early production fumbles were costly. The market is already well established by Pfizer and Moderna in the US, and whether its non-mRNA formula will be accepted by entrenched vaccine skeptics remains very much to be seen.

Observer (NY)