American vaccine developer Novavax announced its COVID-19 serum is effective against UK and South Africa strains, although intensity varies. Its January 28, 2021 press release revealed vaccine efficiency of 89.3% in its United Kingdom (UK) phase three trials. It also has 60% clinical efficiency against the South Africa (SA) mutation. Knowing Novavax is effective against UK and SA variants could be best news this year.
The Headline Announcement in More Detail
1… The vaccine was strongly effective at 89% in United Kingdom, despite over 50% of trial cases having the UK strain.
2… 60% clinical efficiency was also evident during SA trials, despite 90% of genetically sequenced cases relating to the South African mutant.
Our vaccine has significant clinical efficiency, a spokesperson said. Our UK Phase 3 and SA Phase 2b studies show Novavax is also effective against both UK and SA variants.
Therefore our NVX-CoV2373 vaccine ‘has potential to play an important role in solving this global public health crisis’. The next step involves obtaining approval from countries wishing to obtain it.
Is Novavax, Effective Against UK and SA Variants Also Safe?
The Novavax vaccine contains a full-length, pre-fusion spike protein made by using recombinant nano particle technology. Purified protein encodes according to the genetic sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. However, the end product is inserted in insect cells, and can neither cause COVID-19 nor replicate it.
The Novavax NVX-CoV2373 vaccine also appears to be practical in developing countries, being stable at 2°C to 8°C in refrigerated environments. Accordingly, it should ship safely using regular medical supply channels
The company has undertaken to share further results of its trials as more information comes to hand. This data will be available on pre-publication servers, subject to subsequent peer review. A rolling submission is ongoing with UK health authority, to limit administrative delays.
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Preview Image: Novavax Coronavirus Vaccine
