The vaccine, known as CovavaxTM, is the ninth to be granted
an emergency use authorization from the U.N. health agency, marking a vote of
confidence for Novavax that could also mean the shots will be accepted by some
countries that only admit travelers vaccinated with WHO-backed jabs.
The Serum Institute is producing the Novavax-developed
vaccine and a big question is how much supply it can ship, and when. The
vaccine was long anticipated to help increase global vaccine supplies, as the
shots require only refrigerated storage — an appealing option for low-income
countries compared to other vaccines that require very cold storage.
“This listing aims to increase access particularly in
lower-income countries, 41 of which have still not been able to vaccinate 10%
of their populations, while 98 countries have not reached 40%,” said Dr.
Mariangela Simao, WHO Assistant-Director General for access to medicines and
health products, alluding to the vast inequity in access to vaccines between
well-stocked rich countries and poorer ones that lack them.
The U.N.-backed COVAX program, which is shipping coronavirus
vaccines to many poor countries, has deals to receive some 1.35 billion Novavax
doses produced by the Serum Institute, the world’s largest vaccine maker that
has a license to produce it.
COVID-19 vaccines train the body to recognize the virus by
spotting the spike protein that coats it, but the Novavax option is made very
differently than the most widely used shots.
It is a protein vaccine, made with an older technology
that’s been used for years to produce other kinds of vaccines. Maryland-based
Novavax uses genetic engineering to grow harmless copies of the coronavirus
spike protein in insect cells. Scientists extract and purify the protein and
then mix in an immune-boosting chemical.
Novavax was delayed for months because of problems lining up
large-scale manufacturing. The full regimen requires two doses.
Novavax has been given emergency use authorization in
Indonesia and the Philippines, has applications pending with the European
Medicines Agency and Britain, and plans to file with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration by year’s end.
Last summer, Novavax reported that a study of 30,000 people
in the U.S. and Mexico found the vaccine was safe and 90% effective against
symptomatic infection from earlier variants, similar to findings from a trial
of 15,000 people in Britain. A follow-up study found a booster dose six months
after the last shot could rev up virus-fighting antibodies enough to tackle the
extra-contagious delta variant.
Novavax says it currently is testing how the shots will hold
up against the omicron variant, and like other manufacturers has begun
formulating an updated version to better match omicron in case in case it’s
eventually needed. -AP