Novavax’s Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Receives WHO Emergency-Use Authorization
In a major development in the fight against COVID-19, Novavax’s updated coronavirus vaccine has been granted emergency-use authorization by the World Health Organization (WHO). This authorization comes as a significant boost to the global vaccination efforts, as the Novavax shot is now approved for individuals aged 12 and older.
The Novavax vaccine specifically targets a descendant of the XBB lineage of the coronavirus, which was the dominant strain earlier this year. By focusing on this strain, the vaccine aims to provide effective protection against the virus and its variants.
The emergency use listing from the WHO plays a crucial role in expediting the regulatory approvals required for importing and administering the Novavax vaccine by member states. This approval opens the doors for countries to swiftly secure and distribute the vaccine to their populations, helping to accelerate global immunization efforts.
Novavax has faced manufacturing challenges that delayed its application for regulatory approval during the peak of the pandemic, causing the company to miss out on the COVID-19 vaccine windfall experienced by other manufacturers. However, with the emergency-use authorization from WHO, Novavax can now move forward with the distribution of its vaccine on a global scale.
It is worth noting that the original Novavax COVID-19 vaccine received authorization from the United States in July 2022, significantly later than the vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna. Unlike the mRNA-based vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna, Novavax’s updated shot relies on traditional protein-based technology.
The news of Novavax’s WHO emergency-use authorization has had a positive impact on the company’s shares. Following the announcement, Novavax’s stock rose by 1.8% to $5.6 in premarket trading, indicating investors’ confidence in the vaccine’s potential success and its role in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, Novavax’s updated COVID-19 vaccine’s authorization by the WHO marks a significant step forward in the global fight against the virus. With its approval for individuals aged 12 and older, the Novavax shot has the potential to contribute to global immunization efforts, playing a vital role in ending the pandemic and restoring normalcy worldwide.
