Contents
The Novavax vaccine is the fifth COVID-19 preparation approved in the European Union. From March 1, it will be applied in Poland. Clinical studies have shown that a booster dose with Novavax significantly enhances immunity, also with the Omikron variant.
- The Nuvaxovid vaccine against COVID-19 by Novavax is the fifth preparation that will be used in Poland, but the first one based on protein technology
- From March 1, it will be given to people aged 18 and over
- Clinical trials have shown its effectiveness at the level of 90%. The research was carried out before the Omikron variant appeared
- However, a recent study with Novavax showed that a booster dose significantly increases protection against Omicron as well
- Check your health. Just answer these questions
- You can find more such information on the TvoiLokony home page
A booster dose for Novavax and Omikron
A study published in late December on medrxiv.org (the so-called preprint, i.e. not yet reviewed) showed that giving a booster dose of Novavax six months after the two-dose regimen significantly enhanced the immune response, also against the Delta and Omikron variants.
People aged 18 to 84 participated in the clinical trial. First, the immune responses observed 14 days after the first series of vaccinations were compared with that observed 28 days after a booster dose of Novavax. It turned out that the average number of serum IgG antibody titers increased approximately 4,7 times (from 43 thousand. 905 to 204 thousand. 367 units). This happened with the original variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- What are the symptoms of Omicron? How do you know when it is wrong? The doctor explains
It also investigated how immunity improved 28 days after the booster dose, in which case five variants of the coronavirus were considered. In the case of the baseline, the number of titers after four weeks improved 61,2-fold for the baseline, 85,9-fold for the Alpha variant, 65-fold for the Beta, 92,5-fold for the Delta and 73,5-fold for the Omikron . However, in the ACE2 receptor binding inhibition test (allowing coronavirus entry into cells), the booster dose increased titers 54,4-fold (basic variant), 21,9-fold (Alpha), 24,5-fold (Beta), 24,4, 20,1 times (Delta) and XNUMX times (Omikron).
Novavax vaccine in March in Poland
The European Commission approved the COVID-19 vaccine produced by the American company Novavax, called Nuvaxovid, on 20 December 2021. Previously, its use was recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The EC’s talks with Novavax to purchase this vaccine took place in December 2020. The contract assumed the purchase of 100 million doses for EU countries, with the option of ordering an additional 100 million. The first part of this delivery was supposed to reach Poland in January, but it did not happen until the end of February.
- Read also: Infection with two Omicron sub-variants is possible. What is the threat of this?
The Novavax vaccine will be given from 1 March.
– I hope that thanks to the Nuvaxovid vaccine we will increase the level of vaccination against COVID-19 in Poland. It is a traditional protein vaccine, similar to the vaccines that we have been vaccinating with for decades. All vaccines approved in the European Union and Poland are effective and safe, but I know that many people trust this traditional protein vaccine. Hence, many who have doubts so far should now be vaccinated – said the Minister of Health, Adam Niedzielski in an interview with “Fakt”.
Novavax vaccine – how many doses for Poland?
According to the contract with the manufacturer to The European Union is to hit 9,5 million Novavax vaccines. – Our provisioning is at the level of 8 percent. of this EU value, i.e. within 700 thousand. vaccines should come to Poland – said spokesman for MZ Wojciech Andrusiewicz in January.
In December, Andrusiewicz announced that “Poland participates in the EU order for 100 million Novavax vaccines, at the moment we are talking about the reported demand for over 4 million doses”.
Further part below the video.
– As part of the first tranche, we have ordered 1. doses, and as part of this second, flexible tranche, we have ordered 800 million doses. Of course, we can increase these doses. In total, we are talking about a signed contract for over 2,5 million doses of vaccines – explained Andrusiewicz.
– Remember that, among others part of the production will take place in Poland. Access to vaccines will therefore be up to date – added a spokesman for the Ministry of Health.
Novavax – how does it work?
Novavax’s preparation is the first vaccine approved for use in the EU based on protein technology. Unlike the mRNA and vector vaccines, the ingredient here is the ready-made S spike protein of the coronavirus.
The vaccine contains 5 µg of the recombinant S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and 50 µg of the adjuvant Matrix-M (an adjuvant based on natural saponin from the bark of the prairie tree, also contains cholesterol and phospholipid).).
When a person is given the vaccine, the immunized person’s immune system will identify the protein molecules as foreign and build up a natural defense against them – antibodies and T cells. When it comes into contact with SARS-CoV-2, the immune system recognizes the virus protein and is prepared to attack it.
Nuvaxovid is administered intramuscularly in two doses, 21 days apart.
- Read also: Polish woman from Denmark on lifting restrictions: there are still many infections, deaths
Nuvaxovid took longer to develop than the aforementioned preparations, but protein vaccines have been in use for a long time.
However, the recombinant production of the viral S protein takes place in insect cells and not in yeast cells, as is the case, for example, in a hepatitis B vaccine.
Novavax vaccine – how effective is it?
The first clinical trial, conducted in Mexico and the USA, showed 90,4% of the efficacy of Novavax. A second UK study also found a similar reduction in symptomatic COVID-19 cases in people who received Nuvaxovid (10 out of 7020) compared to those given a placebo (96 out of 7019). In this study, the vaccine was 89,7% effective.
- Find out more: End of restrictions in Great Britain. Huge savings in the background
In turn, the results of a randomized phase 3 clinical trial of the Novavax vaccine (in the clinical trial it was called NVX-CoV2373) with the participation of nearly 30. volunteers (15 in the study group and 187 in the control group, 14% were 039+, 27,9% had comorbidities), showed the effectiveness of protection against COVID-65 symptoms at the level of 44,6%.
In the study, two doses of the vaccine were administered 21 days apart.
Novavax vaccine – who can get it?
Novavax is a vaccine for people aged 18 and over.
As virologist prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska, «data on the safety and efficacy of the Novavax vaccine in pregnant women are not yet available. However, based on previous evidence from other protein vaccines used in pregnancy, it is expected that efficacy will be comparable to that of women of similar age and non-pregnant women. WHO recommends the use of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women when the benefits of vaccination for the pregnant woman outweigh the potential risks ».
- Also read: Prof. Witt: Coronavirus is not the flu, easing restrictions is a risky move
«WHO recommends the same use of Novavax for breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women. No data are available on the potential benefits or risks of the vaccine for breastfed babies. However, as Novavax is not a live virus vaccine, it is unlikely to be a risk to a breast-fed child from a biological and clinical point of view. WHO does not recommend stopping breastfeeding due to vaccination with this preparation »explains the virologist.
Vaccination with Nuvaxovid is recommended for people with conditions that have been identified as increasing the risk of severe COVID-19, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, liver disease, obesity and neurodegenerative diseases, and may also be given to people with a history of suffered from COVID-19.
Do you want to test your COVID-19 immunity after vaccination? Have you been infected and want to check your antibody levels? See the COVID-19 immunity test package, which you will perform at Diagnostics network points.
Also read:
- When can I safely “go out to people” after Omicron and I will not infect anyone? We review research and expert advice
- Experts: COVID-19 will become endemic. What does this mean for us? [WE EXPLAIN]
- They examined the dead from COVID-19. The virus is destroying the intestines