Novavax becomes 5th COVID-19 vaccine approved in Australia

CANBERRA, Australia – Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine became the fifth on Thursday coronavirus vaccine approved for use in Australia.

The country has ordered 51 million doses of the US-made vaccine, supplied under the Nuvaxovid brand, for its population of 26 million. Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines are already used in Australia. Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine is also approved, but the government has not purchased any.

The Novavax vaccine will be available to unvaccinated Australians aged 18 and over but will not be used as a booster for the 95% of the population aged 16 and over who have already received a vaccine.

“There are some people, despite massive uptake of vaccination in this country, who have been waiting for Novavax, and it’s great that it’s finally been approved,” said chief regulator John Skerritt, head of Therapeutic Goods. Administration.

“Our dream is to turn our 95% into 97 or 98% in this country,” Skerritt added.

The protein-based vaccine should be given in two doses three weeks apart.

Paul Griffin, associate professor of medicine at the University of Queensland, said Australia must strive to improve an already impressive vaccination rate.

“For various reasons, it appears that some have remained reluctant to receive these vaccines so far, so an additional option, based on what is perhaps considered a more traditional platform, is likely to increase even further. our vaccination rate,” Griffin said.