What is Novavax? How This COVID Vaccine Differs From Others, When It Could Be Authorized

MSN ^ | 04/25/2022

[SeekAndFind]

The U.S. could soon have a new COVID vaccine on the market but this one will be different from the others.

Novavax asked the Food and Drug Administration to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for adults in late-January and that application remains under review, but the company recently released data surrounding a new trial that could target both flu and COVID at the same time.

So what exactly is Novavax and what should you know about the vaccine? Here's a breakdown.

What is the Novavax vaccine and how is it different?

The Novavax vaccine differs from Pfizer and Moderna's mRNA vaccines in that it relies on an older technology that’s been used for years to make shots for diseases like influenza and pertussis. The Maryland-based Novavax drugmaker uses genetic engineering to grow harmless copies of the coronavirus spike protein in insect cells. Scientists then extract and purify the protein and then mix in an immune-boosting chemical.

For certain groups of people — particularly young men — the mRNA vaccines carry a slightly elevated risk of a heart condition called myocarditis. Novavax's vaccine has not been linked to myocarditis.

But in addition, the company is also in clinical trials of a version of its vaccine that would target both COVID and flu at the same time. The company said its first phase of the trial showed the potential for triggering an antibody response to both viruses, though further study is needed. A second phase of the trial is set to begin "by the end of 2022."

"We continue to evaluate the dynamic public health landscape and believe there may be a need for recurrent boosters to fight both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza," Dr. Gregory M. Glenn, president of research and development for Novavax, said in a statement. "

[arthurus]

I regularly use a much safer and highly effective prophylactic against all sorts of flu. That is Vitamin D3. I have been taking 125 mcg(5000 iu) since 2006 and have not been troubled by any respiratory virus since. Wife was a school teacher who took the school board required flu shots every year and brought home flu from her primary students one to three times every year. M-I-L gave me a bottle of D3 (megadose to cure extant flu) when I was in the throes of a very bad flu and cleared it up in the course of a day. Wife and daughter then did same with same results. We have all been taking the daily since and have been unbothered by virii including the Dread CCP variety. It also ended daughter’s manic depression.

[mewzilla]

Still keying off the same spike protein?!

What could go wrong.

SNORT.

[mewzilla]

When?

When public health starts being about public health again.

[frogjerk]

I have been taking Vitamin D3 for years now on my doctor's advice. There is no doubt it has helped me get over COVID (tested positive once) - most likely had it 3 times with no real issues.

It also ended daughter’s manic depression.

D3 really helps your mood and outlook, no doubt.

[arthurus]

Twenty years ago doctors only recommended vitamin D for osteoporosis and other bone issues. And it was D2 which is wholly synthetic and only replicates a small portion of the D made by the body from sunshine. D3 is pant derived and much more nearly complete though natural sunshine is superior with the caveat that sunshine is less effective progressively north of the tropics due to sun angle and cold weather induced covering up of skin.

[arthurus]

At first the mRNA vax sounded safe and effective.

[Sarcazmo]

Hmmmmmm.... good point. Maybe I’ll hold off on this for a while.

[arthurus]

Take D3 supplements and maybe Quercitin and zinc. All that is easily available at WalMart or on line. D3 alone has kept me virus free for 17 years. If you live in Miami you would just need to be outside bare armed for an hour mid morning or mid afternoon every day. In Philly that is good in the summer months only and better closer to noon. In Faibanks forget getting your D from the sun.