Health Canada has approved the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adding a fifth option to Canada’s arsenal that may see more uptick from people who remain hesitant to get a dose.
The vaccine called Nuvaxocid, which is protein-based, is the first of its kind to get approval in the country.
Experts say a non-mRNA could win over a few more vaccine-hesitant people who have still not received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Nuvaxocid is approved for adults aged 18 and older. It is administered in two doses, 21 days apart.
Health Canada said clinical trials found it was 90 per cent effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and 100 per cent effective at preventing severe disease.
Additionally, Health Canada said in a news release that preliminary data shows Nuvaxocid produces neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant.
The U.S. company Novavax Inc. submitted its initial application last January and an additional submission in August.
The Novavax shots have already been cleared for use in Europe, Australia and Singapore.
Ottawa also signed a deal last year to produce the Novavax shot in Canada and a vaccine-manufacturing plant was constructed in Montreal.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2022.
The Canadian Press
