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

Manufacturer: Novavax Inc.

Status: Approved by Health Canada

Approved for: Primary series in individuals age 12 years and older, or as a booster dose in individuals age 18 years and older

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

Number of doses: 2 doses for primary series and 1 dose as a booster

Who the vaccine is indicated for

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. The safety and effectiveness in people younger than 18 years of age have not yet been established for the booster.

Effectiveness

Clinical trials showed that beginning 1 week after the second dose, Novavax Nuvaxovid^® COVID-19 vaccine was:

90% effective in protecting trial participants aged 18 and above against COVID-19
80% effective in protecting trial participants aged 12 to 17 against COVID-19

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

Dosage

Primary series

The dosing schedule authorized by Health Canada is to give 2 doses 21 days apart, based on evidence from clinical trials. One dose contains 5 micrograms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (original strain) with 50 micrograms of Matrix-M adjuvant.

Booster dose

A booster dose (5 micrograms) of the Novavax Nuvaxovid^® COVID-19 vaccine may be administered intramuscularly in individuals 18 years of age approximately 6 months after completing 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.

Find out how provinces and territories are making COVID-19 vaccine decisions

Vaccine ingredients

Medicinal ingredient

SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike (rS) protein (original strain)
Matrix-M adjuvant
- composed of 40 nanometer particles based on saponin extracted from the soap bark tree (Quillaja saponaria Molina)
- helps stimulate an immune response to the vaccine

Other ingredients

Non-medicinal ingredients

disodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate
hydrochloric acid (for adjustment of pH)
polysorbate 80
sodium chloride
sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate
sodium hydroxide (for adjustment of pH)
water for injection

For adjuvant:

cholesterol
phosphatidylcholine
potassium chloride
potassium dihydrogen phosphate
disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate
sodium chloride

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:

hives (bumps on the skin that are often very itchy)
swelling of the lips, face, tongue or airway
difficulty breathing
increased heart rate
loss of consciousness
sudden low blood pressure
abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea

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:

a side effect following vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine
any persistent, new or worsening symptoms

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 Novavax Nuvaxovid^®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:

Novavax Nuvaxovid^® vaccine regulatory information

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:

monitor the use of all COVID-19 vaccines closely
examine and assess any new safety concerns

Learn about the side effects we're currently monitoring.

Get vaccinated

How to get vaccinated near you

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