Novavax: A COVID vaccine for the hesitant

Many people have been hesitant to get any of the currently available “vaccines” for COVID-19. Why? Because they are uncomfortable taking an injection of viral genetic material known as messenger RNA (mRNA) into the cells throughout their bodies. Messenger RNA is the genetic code that the body uses to produce a protein that the virus. The particular protein that is made allows the virus to attach itself to the cells of your body. The current COVID-19 products represent the first time this technology has been used in humans. Little is known about the long-term effects of this technology.

I will not cite any negative data about the currently available mRNA products. I do not want to be accused of spreading misinformation. Instead I want to encourage those who have concerns about the currently available vaccines that there is a vaccine that is in development and will hopefully be available later this year. It is called Novavax.

Novavax is made up of an antigen (the spike protein from COVID-19) combined with an adjuvant. An antigen is a protein that the immune system does not recognize as belonging to your body and so it raises antibodies against it. An adjuvant is a substance the boosts the body’s response to the antigen. A two-dose regimen administered 21 days apart is safe and associated with a robust immune response.

The protein is made in the laboratory using the genetic material from the virus. This process is similar to how insulin is made commercially. The spike protein cannot replicate itself in your body. Novavax cannot cause infection. The amount of protein introduced is consistent from person to person.

Novavax is much more similar to traditional vaccines even though it uses new technology. Therefore, I believe that many of the vaccine hesitant will be willing to take it. You should feel comfortable taking it. Again, the choice should always be yours to make in consultation with your medical provider.

On June 30, 2021 the New England Journal of Medicine reported on a study of over 15,000 persons in England. Novavax was 89.7% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections. It was 86.3% effective against the alpha variant and 96.4% effective against other variants of the virus. The results are better than the currently available vaccines produce.

Reported side effects included injection-site tenderness, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. Adverse events were similar in the vaccine and placebo groups (0.5% in each), and no deaths were attributed to the receipt of the vaccine. Novovax has an excellent safety profile.

It is likely that we are heading for a time when vaccination will be required to fully engage in social activities, e.g. air travel. I will avoid any discussion of medical privacy, personal autonomy, natural immunity or government intrusion. Instead I support using a safe, effective, more traditionally-made vaccine that can be taken with confidence. I hope that the FDA will approve the use of Novavax – it can prevent COVID and cure hesitancy.