Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine

All COVID-19 vaccines authorized in Canada are proven safe, effective and of high quality.

Name: Novavax Nuvaxovid™ COVID-19 vaccine; Novavax Nuvaxovid™ XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant COVID-19 vaccine

Manufacturer: Novavax Inc.

Type: protein-based vaccine

Status: Approved by Health Canada

How it's given: Injection in muscle (usually the upper arm)

Number of doses: 2 doses for primary series in people not previously vaccinated and 1 dose in individuals previously vaccinated

Approved for:

Primary series in unvaccinated people age 12 years and older:

  • original COVID-19 vaccine
  • Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant vaccine

As a booster dose in previously vaccinated people age 18 years and older:

  • original COVID-19 vaccine

A single dose in people age 12 years and older who have been vaccinated with a previously or currently marketed Canadian COVID-19 vaccine:

  • Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant vaccine

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Who the vaccine is indicated for

Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine

The vaccine is authorized for use in people who are 12 years of age and older. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than 12 years of age have not yet been established for the vaccine.

This vaccine is also authorized as a booster for people who are 18 years of age and older.

Novavax Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant COVID-19 vaccine

This vaccine is authorized for use in people who are 12 years of age and older. It may be given to people who have been previously vaccinated or who have not been previously vaccinated.

Effectiveness

Clinical trials with the original COVID-19 vaccine showed that beginning 1 week after the second dose, the vaccine was:

A booster dose of the original COVID-19 vaccine was shown to increase the immune response against COVID-19 in trial participants age 18 and above. At the time of the analysis, the Delta variant of concern (VOC) was the predominant variant.

Data on Novavax's investigational Omicron-containing vaccines showed a more potent immune response to closely strain-matched vaccine formulations and had no new safety concerns.

Dosage

Primary series

The dosing schedule authorized by Health Canada:

Booster dose

A booster dose (5 micrograms) of the original COVID-19 vaccine may be given in the muscle in people 18 years of age about 6 months after the second dose.

XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant COVID-19 vaccine dose (6 months after previous vaccination)

A single dose (5 micrograms) of this vaccine may be given to people 12 years of age and older who have been vaccinated with a previously or currently marketed Canadian COVID-19 vaccine about 6 months after the second dose of the primary series.

Your province or territory decides when people receive their doses of the vaccine.

These decisions are based on public health recommendations and the latest evidence.

Vaccine ingredients

Medicinal ingredient

Other ingredients

Non-medicinal ingredients

For adjuvant:

Possible side effects

After getting vaccinated, it's common to have temporary side effects. These can last a few hours to a few days after vaccination.

This is the body's natural response, as it's working hard to build protection against the disease.

Common vaccine side effects may include:

Symptoms at the injection site, such as: More general symptoms, such as:
  • redness
  • soreness
  • swelling
  • chills
  • fatigue
  • joint pain
  • headache
  • mild fever
  • muscle aches
  • nausea and vomiting
  • generally feeling unwell (malaise)

Rare vaccine side effects

A severe allergic (anaphylaxis) reaction is rare. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

Call emergency services if you develop or witness any serious symptoms that could be an allergic reaction after vaccination.

Reporting a possible serious reaction

Contact your health care provider if you experience:

Health care providers must report possible reactions following vaccination to their local public health authority. The public health authority then reports them to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Reported allergic reactions and side effects to COVID-19 vaccines are published weekly in our Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination report.

Vaccine review, approval and monitoring

Health Canada's independent drug review process is recognized around the world for its high standards and rigor. Our decisions are based only on scientific and medical evidence showing that vaccines are safe and effective. The benefits must outweigh any risks.

The XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for use in Canada under the Food and Drug Regulations.

Find detailed technical information such as the product monograph and the regulatory decision summary:

As COVID-19 vaccines are administered across Canada, our safety monitoring is ongoing. The Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, and provincial and territorial health authorities continue to:

Learn about the side effects we're currently monitoring.

Get vaccinated

How to get vaccinated near you

Related links

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