PH approves emergency use of Novavax Covid-19 vaccine

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor

November 17, 2021, 2:38 pm

<p><em>(Anadolu photo)</em></p>

(Anadolu photo)

MANILA – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Novavax's Covid-19 vaccine.

"Ito po ay nag-apply sa 'tin (This has applied for an EUA) a few months ago,” FDA Director General Eric Domingo said during a televised public briefing Wednesday.

The Novavax coronavirus vaccine is engineered from the genetic sequence of coronavirus with nanoparticle technology. When the vaccine is injected, it stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies.

Domingo said it is for the active immunization of individuals 18 years old and above. Its brand name is Covovax and will be manufactured by the Serum Institute of India Private Limited.

Clinical trials for Novavax have shown that it has 89.7 percent efficacy against coronavirus and 100 percent protection against moderate and severe disease. Each dose is 0.5 ml and must be given not less than 21 days apart.

“Possible na isa sa mga maaari nating magamit na bakuna towards the end of the year or sa darating na 2022 (It is possible that this will be one of the vaccines we will use towards the end of the year or in the coming 2022),” Domingo said.

Novavax first received an EUA for Covovax in Indonesia earlier this month. (PNA)

Comments