VDH announces availability of Novavax COVID-19 boosters in Virginia

The booster is based on a different technology than other vaccines

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RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health announced the availability of a free booster dose of Novavax, a COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday.

This comes after its authorization by the Food and Drug Administration and its recommendation by the Center for Disease Control on Oct. 19.

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The booster is available for adults who cannot take bivalent COVID-19 vaccines such as Pfizer or Moderna, for medical or accessibility reasons. It is also available for adults who would not take a booster otherwise.

Novavax can only be used as a first-dose booster, and those who already had a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 booster dose cannot take it at this time. It is to be administered at least six months after an individual has completed a primary COVID-19 vaccine series.

The booster targets the original strain of COVID-19 that originated in Wuhan, China. Bivalent vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna also target subvariants of the virus, but Novavax has a bivalent booster in testing.

Free vaccination information can be found online. More information about the authorization of vaccines in the U.S. can be found on the VDH COVID-19 Vaccine website.


About the Author

Lauren Helkowski joined WSLS 10’s digital team in August 2022, but has held a passion for storytelling long before.

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