THE UK has now got a fifth Covid vaccine to add to its virus-fighting arsenal.
Novavax can be used on Brits after successful trials gave it the green light – with 60million doses on order.
It is hoped Novavax could persuade those who were hesitant to get jabbed to reconsider, as it uses older technology they will trust.
Novavax is different to the other vaccines being rolled out in the UK, as it is made using protein-based tech – like the Hepatitis B jab.
Professor Paul Heath, who led the trials in the UK, said: "We do believe there are people out there who have been waiting for a vaccine that has been developed with a more traditional platform, such as the Novavax vaccines.
"So we suspect that those who haven't been vaccinated yet may be more inclined to be vaccinated and this is what we need of course, we need everyone to be vaccinated."
He added it might also appeal more to pregnant women, saying: "It may well be that pregnant women look at a vaccine which is again a protein based vaccine, this may be more acceptable.
"We do know there is considerably more vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women and this may be a way we can improve that."
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Novavax experts believe it will beat all variants, having produced good antibody responses to previous ones – although Delta and Omicron have not yet been tested against.
Filip Dubovsky, Chief Medical Officer at Novavax, said: "The full length spike protein does have common epitopes that span all variants, even that goes back to the original SARS.
"That's why we think we have an immune response that is capable of neutralising a broad range of variants. We think we have quite a potent product here."
Trials last year showed it has an efficacy of over 80 per cent against multiple variants, and is 96 per cent effective at stopping infections caused by the original Covid.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “It is great to see our world renowned medicines regulator approve another Covid-19 vaccine.
“I want the UK to be the best place in the world to conduct clinical trials.
"It’s a testament to the country’s first-rate research and development capabilities for vaccines – with tens of thousands of people taking part in clinical trials here in the UK, contributing to the invaluable research that shows our vaccines are safe and effective.
“The next step will be for the independent Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination to consider its use as part of the UK Covid-19 vaccination programme.”
Dr June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive, said: “Our approval of Nuvaxovid today follows a rigorous review of the safety, quality and effectiveness of this vaccine, and expert advice from the government’s independent scientific advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines.
“I am pleased to confirm today that this authorisation has been granted, providing access to a fifth vaccine that can be used to help protect us from Covid-19."
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Chair of the Independent Commission on Human Medicines, said: “The independent Commission on Human Medicines and its Covid-19 Expert Working Group has carefully considered the available evidence on safety, quality and effectiveness.
"We are pleased to say that we have advised that the benefit risk balance of Nuvaxovid is positive."
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