Novavax COVID Vaccine Offers New Protein-Based Option with Comparable Efficacy to mRNA Shots

Novavax is a protein-based COVID vaccine, unlike mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. It contains the spike protein directly rather than genetic code for the body to produce spike protein.

Efficacy of Novavax for initial vaccination series is comparable to mRNA vaccines, around 90% against infection. Effectiveness against current variants is less clear.

Novavax may produce fewer side effects like fever or fatigue based on clinical trials, but real world data is still limited.

Getting Novavax after mRNA vaccines may provide better durability, based on early research with mix-and-match boosters.

Novavax is now authorized as a booster for anyone 12+ in the US. It can be found at major pharmacies and through government programs for uninsured.