Nuvaxovid It is the first US vaccine made with a new methodology, unexplored in anti-Covid treatments. Based on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, it promises to be effective against Covid-19.
The Nuvaxovid vaccine is indicated for emergency use by the EMA
In addition, it is easy to refrigerate, so complex cooling systems are not needed for it to be preserved, which will benefit countries with limited resources.
This vaccine, which is about to join the pharmaceutical market, has been called “Nuvaxovid”, created by the American laboratory Novavax. It was approved by the European Commission on December 20. After the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended its use due to the high level of protection it has against the coronavirus.
The vaccine, which is indicated for emergency use, will be applied for the first time in Spain to people for whom the currently available inocula are contraindicated. As well as those who did not complete the vaccination schedule due to adverse reactions to biologicals made with messenger RNA (mRNA), such as those from Pfizer or Moderna.
It will also be supplied to patients with allergies.
What is the difference between an mRNA vaccine and Nuvaxovid?
According to the Scientific Information and News Service (SINC), mRNA anti-Covid biologicals. They introduce the genetic instructions to produce the SARS-CoV-2 protein into human cells. So the cells of the inoculated person create antibodies that help defend the body from infection. Since when it comes into contact with the vaccine it has the ability to remember its structure at the time they face the real virus.
In the case of the Nuvavax preparation, the patient is directly injected with the protein S of the virus. But that’s not all, because the pharmaceutical company resorted to another compound, obtained from a Quillaja saponaria tree. Which has the ability to stimulate the immune response effectively.
According to the Spanish portal, the vaccine is supplied in two doses with a break of three weeks between one and the other.
Despite the fact that it is the first time that the “protein” method has been used for vaccines against Covid-19. In fact, this technique was used for the first time in the 1980s against diseases such as hepatitis B, the human papillomavirus (HPV), among other pathologies.
How effective is the Novavax vaccine?
The authorization of the new vaccine was approved by the EMA and the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products. The clinical trials consisted of the application of the vaccine and a placebo to the patients. Without them knowing which of the two they were inoculated with.
The study carried out in the United States and Mexico showed an efficacy of 90.4%, while in the second study, applied in the United Kingdom, it was 89.7%. “Together, the two trials show an efficacy of around 90%,” reported the AEMPS.
The AEMPS added that the tests were applied when the original strain of the coronavirus was circulating. As well as alpha and beta, some of the variants known as dangerous, so it is unknown if it will be effective against omicron, since it was not yet circulating.
Related Notes:
On a scale of 1 to 10: Most painful medical conditions
How do you know if you chose a good doctor? 6 signs to watch for
5 books that every medical resident should read, which one do you recommend?