Novavax is a two-dose, protein-based COVID-19 vaccine that is authorized for anyone 12 and older. The Novavax vaccine is created using more traditional protein-based technology for vaccine development, unlike the other vaccines available in the United States (the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and viral-vector Johnson & Johnson vaccine).
The Novavax vaccine uses a combination of purified coronavirus spike proteins and an immune-boosting stimulant called an adjuvant (common in many vaccines) to strengthen the body’s immune response against COVID-19. Novavax has already been authorized in more than 40 countries and has been granted emergency authorization from the European Union and the World Health Organization.
As a protein-based vaccine, Novavax is another option for people who are allergic to one of the components in a mRNA or viral-vector vaccine. The vaccine is authorized for emergency use as a primary series only, and not as a booster dose.
More information can be found in the FDA Fact Sheet for Novavax.