The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, and one of the most hopeful advances is the discovery of a new COVID-19 vaccination.
For the fall/winter season 2023-24, the globe has received an upgraded COVID vaccination.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the modified Novavax COVID on Oct. 3. The new vaccine is monovalent and is intended to protect against severe illness caused by the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant.
With its particular characteristics and powerful effectiveness, this vaccine has the potential to change our battle against the virus.
Some may be questioning why COVID-19 vaccinations are still being produced and promoted.
COVID-19 is still a significant cause of severe respiratory diseases, with over 200,000 documented fatalities since January 2022. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this statistic includes almost 600 fatalities among teenagers and children aged 19 and under.
The improved Novavax COVID vaccination is approved for people aged 12 and above. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is protein-based, as opposed to Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. It is an alternative that people might explore if they are unable or unwilling to get an mRNA vaccination.
Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to get vaccinated against COVID.
According to Yale Medicine, the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines employ messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which guides cells in the body to produce proteins that stimulate an immune response against COVID-19.
The Novavax protein-based vaccination employs an older, more conventional technology and a distinct mechanism: it directly injects the spike protein and another component into the body, forming virus-fighting antibodies and T cells.
Clinical trials have shown that this vaccine protects against the virus, including against novel strains in the United States, such as EG.5, FL.1.5.1, and others in the XBB family.
The improved efficacy represents a significant advancement in the continuing fight against the epidemic.
Those who have previously received one or more doses of monovalent COVID-19 or bivalent COVID-19 immunization should receive a single dose at least two months after the previous dose.
Individuals who have not previously had any COVID-19 immunization should receive two doses three weeks apart.
There is a potential that some people will have a severe adverse reaction to the new vaccination. Breathing difficulties, swelling of the face and neck, rapid heartbeat, a nasty rash all over your body, disorientation, and weakness are some of the symptoms.
While health officials around the world remain cautiously optimistic, monitoring the situation and ensuring vaccinations are available to everybody is critical. The new COVID vaccination is a ray of hope, a sign that science and teamwork are winning the battle against COVID-19.