Australian authorities expect those who haven’t already got the jab to roll up their sleeves for Novavax due to its protein base.
TGA head professor John Skerritt said those skeptical about the mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna would likely be more comfortable being jabbed with the newly approved dose.
‘The technology on which Novavax is made is an older technology. And I would have had several hundreds of emails from individuals and groups who have said, for whatever reason, we would like to have a protein vaccine,’ Professor Skerritt said.
Epidemiologist Catherine Bennett told Daily Mail Australia Novavax was more of a ‘conventional’ approach to vaccines as the receiver was being injected with a protein.
‘The viral protein segment that they’re using as a trigger for the immune system is produced in a laboratory,’ she said.
‘Whereas with the other vaccines, it’s actually getting our cells to produce the protein and then your immune system sees it and reacts to it.
‘(Novavax) is doing that bit of work up front, before it’s injected.’
Ms Bennett said because the protein was produced in a lab, researchers had to work hard to ensure there was no contamination.
‘So what goes into you is a bit more complex because it includes a protein,’ she added.
‘You still have then the production of antibodies (with Novavax).’
What are the side effects?
Novavax differs from mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna but all have similar side effects after a person is jabbed.
These include soreness around the site of injection, fatigue, headaches and muscle aches.
The vaccine, which is the fifth to be approved in Australia, is able to be stored in a normal fridge for up to three months, unlike other doses which must be kept at very low temperatures.
The vaccine has been proven to have 90 per cent efficacy rate against mild, moderate and severe disease, WHO said.
