Novavax has received approval for Canada’s first protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine called Nuvaxovid. Nuvaxovid (COVID-19 vaccine, recombinant protein, adjuvanted) is indicated for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals 18 years of age or older. It will be an option for people unable or unwilling to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Action: Nuvaxovid is composed of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike (S) protein nanoparticles. A saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant is added to enhance the magnitude of the S protein-specific immune response. Note that Nuvaxovid will be the first vaccine in Canada to contain the Matrix-M adjuvant and is NOT a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Dosage: The manufacturer’s recommended dosage is two 0.5 mL doses, administered intramuscularly three weeks apart. However, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends an interval of eight weeks between the first and second doses, as this schedule is expected to provide a more robust and durable immune response and higher vaccine effectiveness.

Health Canada has not approved Nuvaxovid for use as a booster. However, NACI states that Nuvaxovid may be offered (off-label) as a booster dose to people who are not able to receive an mRNA vaccine, regardless of which COVID-19 vaccines were received in the primary series.