Novavax, Inc. has announced that the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2024-2025 Formula) (NVX-CoV2705) has been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 in individuals aged 12 and older.

Novavax's vaccine is included in the recommendations issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on June 27, 2024.

Pre-filled syringes of the vaccine will be available in thousands of locations, including retail and independent pharmacies and regional grocers, following the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research release of vaccine batches.

"Today's authorization enables Novavax to launch our updated COVID-19 vaccine in the US in pre-filled syringes, and we have worked hard to ensure consumers have access in thousands of locations nationwide," said John C. Jacobs, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax.

"Our updated vaccine targets JN.1, the 'parent strain' of currently circulating variants, and has shown robust cross-reactivity against JN.1 lineage viruses, including KP.2.3, KP.3, KP.3.1.1 and LB.1, "Jacobs added.

In June, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted unanimously in favor of a universal recommendation for the use of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines authorized under EUA or approved by Biologics License Application in individuals aged six months and older, regardless of specific viral strains. As discussed at the June 2024 US FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting, there is a public health benefit to target JN.1, the parent strain of the most common currently circulating variants.2,3 Novavax filed for JN.1 in line with guidance from the US FDA, European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization to target the JN.1 lineage this fall.2,4,5

The EUA was based on non-clinical data that showed Novavax's updated vaccine provides protection and cross-reactivity against JN.1 and numerous JN.1 lineage viruses, including KP.2.3, KP.3, KP.3.1. and LB.1. In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions associated with Novavax's prototype COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) included headache, nausea or vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, injection site tenderness, injection site pain, fatigue and malaise.