How Novavax vaccine can be a gamechanger in the fight against Covid -19
6 reasons why Novavax vaccine can be the most sought after vaccine for COVID-19
While increased vaccinations have already started to show an impact in curbing down COVID-19 infections, global control of infections requires more equitable distribution of vaccines in the underdeveloped and developing parts of the world. The fastest way to do this is by getting more vaccine candidates to meet the global demand.
As of April 2021, 56% of the COVID-19 vaccines are being supplied to high-income countries with just 16% of the world’s population. Therefore, new vaccine formulations and manufactures are required to ensure equitable access to remote communities and poor countries.
The new vaccine candidate by Novavax, NVX-CoV2373 may be vital in narrowing this disparity while addressing global accessibility demands. Let us review the key features of this vaccine which make it a crucial player in the fight against COVID-19.
Clinical trial data
Novavax released promising results from their PREVENT-19 phase 3 trials study which included 30,000 participants across 119 sites spanning the US and Mexico. These included 44% non-white participants, representing the cohort of people most impacted by the coronavirus infections. Highlights of the results included -
● 93.2% efficacy against 8 viral variants of interest and concern
● 90.4% overall efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19
● 100% efficacy against moderate to severe disease
Novavaxs’ NVX-CoV2373 was also evaluated in the UK trials which included 15,000 participants. The trials revealed similar high quality results with -
● 89.7% overall efficacy
● 86.3% efficacy against the alpha variant
● 96.4% efficacy against the original virus strain
Novavax did the third set of trials in South Africa but struggled due to the presence of the high number of HIV positive participants.
Storage conditions
One of the key features of NVX-CoV2373 vaccine is the straight forward storage conditions which makes the jab easy to store and transport across borders and oceans. These shots can be stored in refrigerators between 2–8 degrees Celsius temperatures for about 6 months. Once out of the refrigeration, the shots are viable for 24 hours. Each vial contains 10 doses in the ready to use formulation. Ease of storage and transportation shall make it one of the most attractive vaccines.
Well known protein based Technology
Novavaxs’ NVX-CoV2373 is a Recombinant nanoparticle protein-based vaccine engineered from the original viral strain. It is based on a tried and tested technology which is already in use for making influenza and hepatitis B vaccines.
The Sars-Cov2 virus is covered with various proteins which it uses to enter the human cell — known as the spike proteins. NVX-CoV2373 uses these spike proteins as vaccine targets to elicit immune response. The virus’s spike protein is delivered as an antigen into the body in soap-like particles with an adjuvant for enhanced immune response and to generate high levels of neutralizing antibodies. Novavax’ vaccine also provides a second layer of protection against the virus by destroying the infected cells.
Fewer and milder side effects
Clinical trials data by far has shown NVX-CoV2373 produces fewer and mild side-effects like headache, muscle pain and fatigue, even in the people belonging to high risk groups such as older age groups (65 and above) or people with co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension etc. This implies the shot produces far less reactions in the body. Exhibition of relatively mild reactions and side-effects also makes it an ideal choice to be a booster dose.
Use as a booster shot
NVX-CoV2373 seems impressive at generating amplified immune responses and can be easily administered to people who had different vaccine formulations before. Dr. Luciana Borio, who was an acting chief scientist at the F.D.A. from 2015 to 2017 also believes it to be a perfect booster shot to enhance immunity after vaccinations.
Preclinical data
Preclinical studies suggested that the elicited antibodies by the NVX-CoV2373 effectively ceases the binding of the viral spike proteins to human cell receptors, rendering protection from the infection. Ineffective binding of viral spike proteins to the human cells must have led to the high efficacious results in the clinical trials.
Updated vaccine against the variants
Further research is going on to make this vaccine more effective against the evolving viral genetic variants, especially the ones making the virus more virulent by evading the human immune system. Novavax may soon come with an updated version of the vaccine adapted against the B.1.351 (Beta) variant. In the coming times, more customized shots targeting specific variants are expected to arrive.
High efficacy against the SARs-COv2 virus, easy storage conditions, known vaccine technology and the fewer side-effects may make NVX-CoV2373 as one of the most desired vaccines worldwide.
