Novavax vaccine recommended as a COVID-19 booster by ATAGI
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The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended the use of the Novavax vaccine as a booster in Australians aged 18 and over where an mRNA vaccine is not suitable.
Novavax is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine to be provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
It has been proven safe and effective in protecting against severe illness or death associated with COVID-19 infection, with clinical trial data showing a robust immune response providing around 90 per cent protection from infection.
Protein vaccines use a non-infectious protein component of the virus manufactured in a laboratory. After vaccination, immune cells recognise the vaccine protein as foreign and launch an immune response against it.
More than 25,000 Australians have received a first dose of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine since it was approved for use last month, ensuring that Australia continues to be one of the most highly vaccinated countries in the world.
Australia was one of the first countries in the world to commence a whole-of-population COVID-19 booster program. More than 11.6 million Australians have received a booster dose.
Approximately 94.5% of people in Australia have completed their primary course of vaccination.
The Australian Government has secured 51 million doses of Novavax to compliment the vaccine rollout.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is currently considering an application for whole of population use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine as a booster following a two-dose course of either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine or the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The TGA and ATAGI continue to review emerging evidence on all COVID-19 Vaccines.
All Australians who are currently eligible for their primary course of vaccination, or for their booster dose, and who have not yet acted are urged to make a booking as soon as possible to get vaccinated.
Original content from The Hon Greg Hunt MP media page. Note: Content has been edited for style and length.
Nina Alvarez is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel. Her interests include writing, particularly about the healthcare sector and the many ways it can improve to further benefit people from all walks of life.
