Novavax (NVAX) received the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday for its COVID-19 booster dose. This development follows the recent approval of booster doses for mRNA frontrunners Pfizer (PFE) and Moderna (MRNA) last month, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extending their endorsement for ages 6 and above.
John Trizzino, Chief Commercial Officer at Novavax, characterized the FDA’s later approval as finalizing administrative formalities. “It’s i-dotting and t-crossing. There were no major issues that needed to be resolved during that process,” Trizzino stated in an interview with Yahoo Finance.
Novavax’s initial foray into booster distribution encountered logistical hurdles with distributors and insurance companies, impeding widespread uptake in the early weeks. However, Trizzino remains optimistic about the ongoing demand for boosters while awaiting a CDC verdict on eligibility for ages 12 and older. “I would expect that the whole process would allow us to start seeing shots in arms taking place next week,” Trizzino informed Yahoo Finance. “Vaccinations are going to continue to take place over the next eight weeks.”
The company has stockpiled doses primed for dispatch across distribution points nationwide. Trizzino acknowledged the added complexity of necessitating extra cold storage, a challenge Novavax is well-prepared to handle.
The seamless progress in the development and distribution of booster doses for both mRNA competitors and Novavax augurs well for the adult population in search of robust COVID-19 protection through vaccination. Individuals anxiously await updated CDC directives on booster doses and remain hopeful that distributors can promptly fulfill orders.
As the COVID-19 booster dose of Novavax steps into the arena, they mark a pivotal milestone in the ongoing battle against the pandemic, providing an additional layer of defense to a nation steadfastly determined to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Source: Yahoo Finance
