Delivery arrived – New Novavax vaccine available in mid-December

Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine adapted to the JN.1 variants was approved in the EU on October 8. However, according to a ministry spokesperson, the approval agency only released batches for the vaccines at the end of November.

Alternative to the mRNA vaccine
The vaccine will be available no later than mid-December – and as usual, free of charge from doctors in private practices and in public vaccination centers in the states. More information about the vaccination offer can be found at www.impfen.gv.at.

Novavax’s protein vaccine is adapted to the JN.1 variants, but according to the manufacturer, also works against their (currently circulating) subvariants, including KP2.3, KP.3, KP 3.1.1 and LB.1.1. The Health Ministry said Novavax’s modified vaccine offers an alternative to the available BioNTech/Pfizer mRNA vaccine and that its effectiveness is “almost the same.”

Refresher course recommended
A booster vaccination is “still recommended”. It has been proven that this continues to reduce the risk of a serious course of the disease. The ministry also referred to the expected gatherings of larger groups of people indoors in the coming weeks and increased travel activity during the holidays, which increases the risk of infection.

This also applies to the flu vaccination. Administering both vaccinations simultaneously is medically possible and “completely sensible”.

Increase in number of infections expected
Molecular biologist Ulrich Elling also emphasized, in view of the current development of the infection curve and the Austrian wastewater data, that a booster vaccination is still useful today. Wastewater monitoring has shown a significant reduction in Covid infections in recent weeks. The virus load had previously been rising steadily since about June, remained at relatively high levels, reached a temporary peak in October and declined since then.

The trough has now probably passed and the most recent data points to an increase again. “There is a relatively clear picture in several states that things are starting to improve again,” Elling said when asked by the APA. The molecular biologist also referred to the so-called R value (reproduction number), which allows conclusions to be drawn about the distribution. This value has risen again since the autumn holidays.

It was to be expected that there would be a reversal in the trend “after the autumn holidays and with the start of the really cold season”, according to Elling. He now thinks a rise in cases is likely until Christmas, then there will likely be a lull over the holidays and then there could be a further increase in January.

“Vaccination makes sense”
“From that point of view, the vaccination makes sense.” This applies not only to those who have been waiting for Novavax’s protein vaccine, but to anyone who has not had a booster vaccination or infection in a year. Elling also emphasized that the vaccinations also work against the new subvariants: “Which variant is currently running is not relevant for the vaccination.” The booster is especially useful for risk groups and the elderly, but also beyond. Elling also emphasized the risk of long or post-Covid, which can at least be reduced by vaccination.

A new wave will likely be fueled, at least in part, by new subvariants. However, due to the very inadequate data situation, this can only be estimated to a limited extent, especially in Austria, he pointed out. However, based on international data, it can be deduced that the new XEC variant (a recombinant of the two omicron lineages KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, note) is increasing. This is also displacing the most recent dominant variant KP.3.1.1 internationally. (also called JN.1+deFLuQE). However, the increase in XEC happens relatively slowly, says Elling.

More chance of infection
Because many people have not had contact with the virus for a long time or have had a (booster) vaccination a long time ago, they are no longer protected against infection, which means there is now a chance of a further increase in the number of infections. The surge started earlier in the summer than in 2023 and was at a relatively high level throughout the summer. However, the number of cases in the autumn and winter so far has been lower than in the same period last year, Elling said – and this means there is now an even higher chance of infections.

Elling also believes that vaccination against Covid and flu is the right choice at this time, as there is a possibility that both waves will coincide.