Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines- updated booster advice
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have provided updated recommendations on the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines:
- Individuals aged 18 years and above are recommended to receive a single booster dose of either mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna), 3 months after the completion of a primary course of vaccination.
- Individuals aged 16-17 years are recommended to receive a single dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer) as their booster, 3 months following the completion of their primary course. Alternate COVID-19 vaccine brands are not registered for use as a booster dose in this age group.
- Whilst Nuvaxovid (Novavax) is not TGA-registered for use as a booster dose, ATAGI recommends that it may be used as a booster in individuals aged 18 years or older in circumstances where there is a contraindication to mRNA vaccines. There is limited safety and efficacy data to support the use of Nuvaxovid as a booster dose, however there are no theoretical concerns.
- Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) is no longer recommended for use as a booster dose. Individuals who have already received Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) as their booster dose do not need a repeat booster dose of an alternate brand.
For further information regarding the ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine, please refer to the links below:
ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Contemporary Pediatrics: Novavax pediatric COVID-19 vaccine trial yields positive results
Novavax’s protein-based recombinant nanoparticle COVID-19 vaccine NVC-CoV2373 has demonstrated an 80% overall efficacy in paediatric trials against the Delta variant.
The paediatric trial included 2247 adolescent participants between the ages of 12 to 17 years, of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, across 73 sites in the United States.
“We are encouraged by the results in this adolescent population given the ongoing need for alternative vaccine options for COVID-19,” said Filip Dubovsky, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Novavax, in the statement.
To read the full press release, follow the link below:
Novavax pediatric COVID-19 vaccine trial yields positive results
Updated MVEC reference page: Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine
We have updated our Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine page to reflect the latest ATAGI recommendations. The Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine has been provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in a primary course of vaccination in people aged 18 years and older.
Our reference page also includes links to the latest resources and information regarding the safety and efficacy of the Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine.
To find out more information, please refer to our dedicated MVEC Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine page in the link below.
Updated MVEC reference page: Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine
ATAGI Statement on the use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid)
Following two phase lll clinical trials conducted in the USA/Mexico and in the UK, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted provisional approval of the Novavvax COVID-19 vaccine in Australia.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, also known as Nuvaxovid (Biocelect Pty Ltd/Novavax Inc) is a spike protein-based vaccine with each 0.5mL dose containing 5 micrograms of the of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and 50 micrograms of Matrix-M as an adjuvant.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated to be highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 disease in adults in a primary schedule. ATAGI continues to monitor the safety, efficacy and immunogenicity data of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine including in high-risk priority groups and will provide updated recommendations as required.
To read the full ATAGI statement, follow the link below:
ATAGI Statement on the use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid)