It has been nearly two years since the first COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer/BioNTech, received its Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after extensive clinic trials.
Since then, there have been two other COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson, that have received Emergency Use Authorization in the United States. Both Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech have since received full FDA approval.
Now, the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, can be added to the list of COVID-19 vaccines given Emergency Use Authorization.
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine is a great option for people who may be allergic to the ingredients in other COVID-19 vaccine options or prefer “traditional” vaccine technology.
The “traditional” technology used in the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is the same used for other diseases like hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), and the tetanus toxoid and diphtheria toxoid vaccines, which are part of the childhood vaccine series many of us receive as kids.
The difference between this “traditional” technology and the kind used in mRNA COVID-19 vaccines is that it uses the spike protein from the virus to stimulate your immune response, whereas mRNA, or Messenger RNA vaccines, give instructions to your cells to start making the spike protein found on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Our immune system recognizes the protein and produce antibodies to fight off infection from COVID-19.
And Springfield community members are already enjoying the benefits. Springfield-Greene County Health held a Novavax pop-up clinic at its Westside Public Health Center location (660 S. Scenic) on Aug. 18. Despite limited doses, 31 people were able to make appointments and get vaccinated with their first dose of the newest COVID-19 vaccine.
This is exciting news. Because the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine is a 2-dose primary series, those who come out to get the Novavax Vaccine are choosing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the first time.
For those who weren’t able to attend the event, there’s still time to get Novavax shot. the Health Department now offers Novavax as an option at many of its clinics.
Vaccine science has come a long way, and COVID-19 has been direct proof of how vaccines can help us avoid getting severely ill or hospitalized with a virus.
If you are interested in getting a Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, please visit vaccine417.com or call the COVID-19 call center at 417-874-1211 to learn about availability.