How Novavax differs from other COVID-19 vaccines

Australians who are sceptical about receiving the existing COVID-19 vaccines — AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna — will soon have another option.

The Novavax vaccine was provisionally approved for use in Australia on Thursday.

Authorities hope it’ll help boost vaccination rates among those hesitant to take the other vaccines, which use newer technology.

Infectious diseases paediatrician from the University of Sydney, Professor Robert Booy, says Novavax is based on older technology than the other COVID-19 vaccines currently available.

“AstraZeneca is based on a viral vector and uses DNA, and the mRNA vaccines are the message that DNA sends out from a cell,” he told Ross and Russel.

“Novavax is based on technology that’s already been used for influenza vaccines … technology with proteins that we’ve known about for years if not decades around the safety and effectiveness”.

Professor Booy thinks Novavax will convince two or three per cent of unvaccinated Australians to get the COVID jab.

“I’m hoping it will make a difference to the primary vaccine uptake,” he said.

“It’s not yet approved for a booster but I sincerely hope it will be in the next month or two.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the differences between the COVID-19 vaccines