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Novavax?Question (self.ZeroCovidCommunity)

submitted by burntsiennaaa

How many of you are waiting to take novavax for the fall once it’s approved? What’s your reasoning behind it if the updated moderna/Pfizer is available now? I’m debating whether I should just wait for novavax bc it has longer protection.

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[–]thatjacob 54 points55 points  (9 children)

I'm giving it a week or maybe two. If there's no news I'll just go mRNA and lie over state lines to get Novavax in the spring. The side effects seem milder and I'm more concerned about durability than initial protection since the US is shifting to a 1 shot per year approach.

[–]wyundsr 21 points22 points  (8 children)

You should theoretically (according to CDC guidelines) be able to self-certify that you’re immunocompromised and get a second booster a few months after your first without having to provide documentation. They may ask you what the condition is though. I know someone who’s done this with the bivalent boosters but this was before the public health emergency expired, so I’m not sure if insurance coverage is different now

[–]ihatemaps 1 point2 points  (2 children)

"Boosters" aren't authorized anymore as of last week. It's only the annual vaccine. You would technically be getting a "second annual vaccination" and not a "booster." Same as with a flu shot.

[–]thatjacob 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Immunocompromised people are still able to get more than one a year unless I'm misunderstanding the new guidelines.

[–]ihatemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yews, it's just that it's not a "booster." It's just an additional shot.

[–]thatjacob 3 points4 points  (4 children)

I imagine insurance coverage has stopped that, unfortunately. I still may claim to be uninsured and use public funds though

[–]essbie_ 8 points9 points  (3 children)

That wouldn’t work in California because they can look up whether you’re uninsured

[–]thatjacob 8 points9 points  (2 children)

Lie about not having an ID. The vaccination program is open to undocumented workers, so from what I've seen discussed you just have to try a few locations until you find a pharmacist that doesn't give a damn.

I saw someone in California mention recently that they almost never check at mass community vaccination events.

[–]essbie_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Good idea that I didn’t think of. I just always go to my local CVS where they basically know me.

[–]satsugene 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Or a US passport. It has no address on it.

[–]mencival 28 points29 points  (16 children)

Waiting for it as it is a protein subunit vaccine which represents a more traditional approach than the mRNA platform. But I am a bit disappointed to read that Novavax is also associated with myocarditis like the mRNA based Covid vaccines. I’ve been worried about other side effects of mRNA vaccines such as Tinnitus which happened to some of my family members. Now I’m trying to decide whether I should go with the previous mRNA vaccine I used which didn’t seem to cause any issues for me personally vs. going with a new vaccine in the case of Novavax.

Link to the article

[–]painfulmanet 25 points26 points  (8 children)

YES! THANK YOU!

I honestly don't care at all about the mRNA, I'm worried about the intact S protein which has been causally shown to contribute to long COVID. Even bringing this up is totally verboten, and as someone with a chronic autoimmune disorder and a primary immunodeficiency I just wish we could have a non politicized, not totally insane conservation about the risks of the S protein in the vaccines. How much does it circulate?? I got moderna for primary and that shit knocked me out for a month with all the inflammation, which is consistent with the symptoms of my IgA deficiency. I'm not thrilled about rolling the dice again for a vaccine with limited capacity to prevent infection and long COVID, and which theoretically could play not so nice with my immune system (and seemingly already has).

I'm willing to "trust the facts" but can someone please tell me what they are?? No one seems to know, and my doctors buttholes clench so tight I can hear it when I dare ask about the potential for complications. I live a blessedly isolated life, and I keep getting told to weigh the risks-- I just want an honest account of what they are.

[–]rebelx 5 points6 points  (6 children)

Are you saying only mRNA has the s protein or novavax too?

[–]painfulmanet 7 points8 points  (3 children)

Novavax has the protein, mRNA has the recipe for the protein. So in effect they both expose you to the protein.

I found this article to be helpful in answering my original question (to a very limited extent) maybe you will be interested in it too: https://www.cell.com/trends/molecular-medicine/fulltext/S1471-4914(22)00189-7

[–]Mavis8220 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Paywall :(

[–]Prisoner-of-Paradise 0 points1 point  (1 child)

The mRNA vaccines induce your body to produce spike proteins. Novavax does not.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this why it could be better after a 2 shot MRNA series? Even if taken years ago?

[–]thatjacob 14 points15 points  (2 children)

Novavax carries a warning about tinnitus in some countries. It seems to be almost any vaccine that causes a robust immune response carries that risk.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ugh nooooo. My other comment on this post was about this being a long term reaction I have had since 2021 from Pfizer. I can't risk it getting worse or else I might jump off a bridge. I can hardly fall asleep as it is.

[–]mencival 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the info

[–]Chicken_Water 14 points15 points  (2 children)

The myocarditis risk is because 6 people in the trial developed it, all below the age of 30. 1 received placebo, 4 were male, 1 was female. All fully recovered I believe.

Viruses and vaccines cause inflammation. Many vaccines probably carry a similar risk.

[–]mencival 12 points13 points  (1 child)

I am seeing 38 cases of myopericarditis out of 612 in the exposed group (in males 18-44, it is 29 out of 292) which seems significant compared to number of cases in unexposed. And similar odd ratios for Novavax and Pfizer.

Do you think this happens with other vaccines, do we have data of this level of quality to compare?

To clarify, I am not trying to be anti-vax :) just trying to understand this better.

[–]No_Debt9335 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately I am another unlucky one - borderline severe T after my 3rd shot - and first case of Covid last August. Brutal to cope with and waiting for the shoe to drop again from Covid with not a soul in my life masking…

[–]pony_trekker 24 points25 points  (2 children)

I opted for Pfizer now. Didn't want to wait since it's been a long while since my last shot and still around people a lot and N95s aren't perfect.

[–]stress789 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My reasoning for getting Moderna!

[–]FlowerSweaty4070 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah im afraid I'll get it if I wait and then majorly regret not getting this shot when I can. At university and a TON of people are sick. My masks aren't fit tested either sadly and don't fully trust them.

[–]cinnerz 36 points37 points  (6 children)

I'm waiting for it. It seems to have longer lasting protection so I'd rather wait to take it.

I'm privileged enough to not have much potential exposure to sick people (I'm retired, my partner WFH, we can do virtually all of our shopping curbside or delivery) so my risk of getting sick in the couple of weeks I'll have to wait is pretty low. I am planning a small vacation mid-October so if I can't get Novavax by the end of September I might change my decision and get an mRNA shot and then try to get Novavax a few months later.

[–]FlowerSweaty4070 4 points5 points  (5 children)

When is novavavax coming out? I'm in university and around a ton of sick people. Scheduled for the Moderna shot this Saturday but unsure if maybe I should wait for novavax

[–]cinnerz 4 points5 points  (4 children)

No one knows for sure, we are waiting on FDA approval. I've seen rumors it should be soon (last week people were speculating that it would be this week). Vaccines.gov shows some pharmacies have it in stock which I think supports those rumors but the pharmacies can't give the shots until FDA approval happens.

[–]FlowerSweaty4070 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Dang yeah that sucks now knowing. I guess I'll stick with Moderna this Saturday unless it comes out this week...I'm in too high risk of situation to keep waiting (university)

[–]Don_Ford 5 points6 points  (2 children)

You do whatever you need to but the lifetime of protection of mRNA is only expected to be 1-2 months according to Eric Topol and you cannot take successive mRNA for consistent protection.

But if you switch to Novavax, which you can safely do even after getting this mRNA in a few months, you can maintain consistent protection with no gaps.

It's the biggest difference between the shots IMO.

[–]FlowerSweaty4070 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So can I get mrna now and novavax when it comes out/ after a few months after this one? I definitely want the novavax but I haven't been boosted in 2 plus years and am super exposed so worried about waiting.

[–]Waldo26 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Who is Eric Topcol? And why would the protection be so short I thought it was closer to 4 months for pfizer

[–]cassandras-curse 14 points15 points  (6 children)

Yes, I will wait (mostly due to the superior durability, although fewer side effects are a nice perk). I made the switch to Novavax in the spring and will continue to ride that train as long as possible or until a more effective vaccine comes along.

[–]brutallyhonestkitten 4 points5 points  (5 children)

I like all the info I’ve seen but am trying to find if tinnitus is a more severe issue with novavax vs mRNA. I’m having a hard time finding that exact info and currently having tinnitus can’t risk it getting much worse for my sanity. mRNA increased it a bit, but it has always went back to baseline within weeks/months…hoping it’s the same with Novavax but am afraid to chance it since there has been more stories about it so far.

[–]No_Debt9335 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I hear ya… my tinnitus is horrible from my 3rd booster. Good luck trying to avoid Covid too with no one masking - on top of coping with the siren…

[–]HeroOfTheNorthF 0 points1 point  (1 child)

did you have it before?

[–]No_Debt9335 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes - as long as I can remember - very mild - normal high frequency damage they see that coincides with loud concerts/ bars, etc … now it’s screaming like just after a concert 24/7

[–]HeroOfTheNorthF 0 points1 point  (1 child)

did you have it before mrna? did it make it worse or created it?

[–]brutallyhonestkitten 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had it mildly before vaccines but at a bearable level. After the mRNA the tone volume increased quite a bit but was thankfully still bearable with my white noise turned up a bit at night when it bothers me most.

It has returned to ‘base level’ after every vaccine within a couple weeks luckily. It’s one reason I’m really trying to avoid getting covid, I’m afraid of the long term possibility of my tinnitus being permanently worse.

[–]essbie_ 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I’m willing to wait maybe 2-3 more weeks before I get the Pfizer.

[–]Appropriate-Coach-20 11 points12 points  (3 children)

I had to cave today and get my Moderna XBB since I have travel starting next week for work.

But if you can wait for Novavax, do it!! Like OP, I’ll wait for spring to try again haha ;)

[–]burntsiennaaa[S] 6 points7 points  (2 children)

I’m really intrigued by all the perks of novavax! Living with roomies that are indifferent about masking means that I’m more at risk so maybe I should do what you’re doing and get moderna now and boost later with novavax. My last shot was the bivalent moderna last year 😳so maybe I don’t have the luxury of time like I thought. My new job is hybrid and I’m trying to mask in the office. Otherwise I’ve been masking indoors since the start of the pandemic.

[–]Appropriate-Coach-20 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Yep similar boat but without the roommates. I also am starting hybrid soon + more conferences coming up. I continue to mask as well but figured all of this activity with XBB variants maybe brings more risk than I’d like. I get it, I wish FDA had approved Novavax alongside Pfizer and Moderna. I also wish we had gotten boosters a few weeks ahead of the fall surge that keeps happening every year…..

[–]burntsiennaaa[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It’s like the government doesn’t care 👀lol we do the best we can given the circumstances but wish we didn’t have to do all this gymnastics to protect ourselves. This sub is encouraging… knowing that there are people who still care. I was starting to feel alone

[–]Astropecorella 23 points24 points  (6 children)

I'm waiting because I'm lucky enough to be able to afford delay. Once we know the decision about novavax, I can decide what to do.

I figure that if I end up getting moderna closer to Halloween anyway, at least its effects will be a bit stronger over the holidays when things are likely to be really nasty. Anyway, I hear it's a shitshow out there right now, with CVS canceling appointments.

Best of luck to everybody, waiting & jumping on it alike.

[–]burntsiennaaa[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, Walgreens cancelled my appointment bc they didn’t get their shipment yet. And I anticipated something to go wrong so I didn’t schedule anything yesterday but I guess it’s gonna have to be a bit of a wait

[–]brutallyhonestkitten 10 points11 points  (3 children)

My husband got a call from CVS today saying that insurance is no longer covering the vaccine through them and he would have to pay $190 to get it so there’s that too. American healthcare is such a joke. He ended up paying because he is traveling for work in two weeks and wants the additional protection but I have to wait until our provider releases them in two weeks.

[–]burntsiennaaa[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I heard about other peoples experience with insurance not covering the cost but really it has to deal with not having a billing code set for the new vaccine. It seems like there’s a mismatch on vax rollout and the system being on the same page.

[–]stress789 5 points6 points  (0 children)

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html

I got mine covered through this today!

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There was a big mainstream news story about this today. What a mess of a rollout. Yay America.

[–]pigeononapear 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I’m extremely open to waiting right now because although I would like to get my next booster sooner rather than later, I just don’t have the bandwidth to deal with searching for/rescheduling appointments for the mRNA version.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (8 children)

Meee! I am able to still fully isolate and don’t have any contacts outside of my home so I’ll be waiting as long as it takes. I had a terrible long term MRNA reaction in summer 2021 so only ever had the initial 2 part series.

[–]Fogandcoffee21 2 points3 points  (5 children)

I’m so sorry you had a long term reaction. I hope you have recovered!

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (4 children)

Unfortunately no. My Doctors have been clueless. I'm stuck with permanent and super loud ear ringing that started that same night of my 1st shot.

[–]Fogandcoffee21 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh no! I’m so very sorry.

[–]No_Debt9335 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mine started after the 3rd… brutal. Sad thing is - it can only get worse…living in fear.

[–]Straight-Plankton-15Eliminate SARS-CoV-2 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Do you think it's pulsatile tinnitus or regular tinnitus?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It goes back and forth between steady and one ringing like a fire alarm. The hardest part of it is falling asleep at night without some wine or an edible. It is so loud.

[–]AmbitiousCrew5156 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Was it Pfizer or Moderna which caused the ear ringing? So sorry this has happened to you.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It was Pfizer. It also caused a less permanent muscle, joint, and arthritis flare-up that left me nearly immobile for 9 weeks. The soles of my feet felt bruised when I walked among other awful things. Don't get me started on the separate period issues. I have numerous auto-immune conditions and had 4 specialist appts virtually to get advice prior because I was so concerned over potential bad outcomes (considering not a single person in the studies had an auto-immune condition). The doctors were each very rude to me and acted like I was an anti-vaxxer and I am very much not. I had a very bad flu shot reaction in 2010 and was worried, but have had all other vaccines I could take without complication. The doctors kept telling me COVID would be far worse, which is for sure true, but they weren't taking into account that I was fully isolating and not even going to stores and had no outside contacts. I trusted them and got the vaccines but considering the outcome and my lifestyle wish I hadn't now. When the issue happened none of them could help me and I was SOL. It has been an awful experience and I'm scared of another round but am willing to try Novavax.

[–]hater4life22 7 points8 points  (5 children)

I’m giving it until October and if not then, I’ll just get Moderna again—which I have to wait until October to get anyways—then get Novavax in the spring as a booster.

[–]burntsiennaaa[S] 4 points5 points  (4 children)

Do you think you’ll get any push back for getting novavax as a booster in the spring or do providers not care.

[–]lordb4 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Insurance might though

[–]hater4life22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t live in the U.S. so that’s not a personal problem for me, but probably for those in the US yes.

[–]hater4life22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t live in the U.S. so those restrictions didn’t/don’t exist here. That might be the case there though so I’m not sure.

[–]ihatemaps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Boosters aren't authorized by the FDA anymore. It's just an annual vaccine, so yes, you would get pushback if you tried to get it more than once a year.

[–]OohHelpMeDrZaius 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Does anyone have a link to a reputable article citing novavax's longer lasting protection? I tried googling it but just found articles about the availability of the new Pfizer/Moderna vaccine.

[–]Majestic-Panda2988 1 point2 points  (1 child)

You might try on the r/novavax subreddit

[–]bornstupid9 12 points13 points  (15 children)

Do we know the instance of increased heart rate/tachycardia with the Novavax? This has been my biggest issue with the vaccines, and honestly it’s scary. I get chest pains and heart palpitations that last months. No health issues I know of. 33F.

[–]Fogandcoffee21 4 points5 points  (8 children)

Same! My cardiologist said yesterday it normally subsides in time but mine has lasted almost a year. I’m at 11 months now…

[–]Cannot_relate_2000 2 points3 points  (7 children)

You got novovax and you have tachycardia?

[–]Fogandcoffee21 2 points3 points  (5 children)

No. Not Novavax.

[–]Land-Dolphin1 1 point2 points  (4 children)

moderna?

[–]Fogandcoffee21 5 points6 points  (3 children)

Pfizer for me. I do already have autoimmune issues also.

[–][deleted]  (2 children)

[deleted]

    [–]Fogandcoffee21 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Thank you. I wish that also.

    [–]Straight-Plankton-15Eliminate SARS-CoV-2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    They should attempt to design vaccines to be safe and effective by actually engineering proteins, the way that any modern machine has engineered components.

    [–]bornstupid9 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Just want to know if this symptom will be lessened with Novavax.

    [–]rundia 2 points3 points  (3 children)

    I’m sure you’ve already heard of this but have you been screened for POTS?

    [–]bornstupid9 5 points6 points  (2 children)

    No I never was, because my symptoms mostly went away after a few months.

    Edited to say, also the people in my life said I was a hypochondriac and it was probably anxiety. Though…I haven’t felt that way since so I think they’re just jerks.

    [–]BrokenBubbles 4 points5 points  (1 child)

    People are ridiculous. I had the same fast heart rate problem right after my first ever Pfizer vaccine and as someone who’s suffered from anxiety their whole life it definitely was NOT anything I ever experienced before.

    [–]Straight-Plankton-15Eliminate SARS-CoV-2 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Have you had an echocardiogram and cardiac MRI?

    [–]bornstupid9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    I have not, no. I never got screened for anything.

    [–]holmgangCore 5 points6 points  (0 children)

    I’m hoping it will show up. I want to take it for the heterogenous vax benefits. I have very low risk/exposure factors, so I can afford to wait.

    [–]NeoPrimitiveOasis 4 points5 points  (4 children)

    I might if I can find it. I got a booster in April, so I have to wait until October anyway. Finding Novavax is a different issue...

    [–]TruthHonor 1 point2 points  (3 children)

    Nope. Any time is good to get the new mRNA boosters as long as it is two months from your last shot.

    [–]NeoPrimitiveOasis 1 point2 points  (2 children)

    The last time I went, they checked. Walgreens requires 6 months between shots, or did in April.

    [–]AutomatedEconomy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    I caved. Made an appointment for Pfizer.

    [–]That-Ferret9852 5 points6 points  (5 children)

    I'm interested in novavax, but I haven't been able to get much good info. I'm open to this being wrong, but from what I've seen, the better protection of the original novavax was sort of by chance because the specific thing it targeted happened to be more suitable to Delta than the original mRNAs, and not necessarily something inherent. And so I'm not sure that that will continue to apply to the XBB formulations.

    [–]AntsMan33 4 points5 points  (1 child)

    Yea, I don't know why people seem to think it's the best or something. It's not per all of the actual science I've seen/read. If there are papers supporting it being advantageous over the the mRNA vaccines that should be mentioned. For the latest papers:

    Pubmed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=covid+novavax&sort=date&size=100

    Pre-Print studies: https://www.medrxiv.org/search/covid%252Bnovavax%20numresults%3A10%20sort%3Apublication-date%20direction%3Adescending

    [–]teamstephencarbone 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I’ve been debating what to do and saw this in another post. Not sure I fully understand it so interested in other opinions before I either just do the moderna for the 5th time (had no issues) or hold out another week or so for novavax..

    https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.adg7015

    [–]Present-Library-6894 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    I saw that Your Local Epidemiologist wrote she personally wanted to get it, but because of the less severe side effects. The evidence that it’s actually more effective seemed mixed — longer durability but a “significantly” lower levels of IgG antibodies.

    [–]Straight-Plankton-15Eliminate SARS-CoV-2 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    The same level of antibodies does not always mean the same level of protection, because the binding affinity and neutralization also makes a difference.

    [–]Present-Library-6894 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Thanks! Do you have a link to learn more about this binding affinity/neutralization aspect? I'm still trying to research the Novovax vs. mRNA decision for myself.

    [–]MoonKittee 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    I’m waiting.

    [–]PretendAct8039 3 points4 points  (0 children)

    I am waiting until October either way, hoping for novavax.

    [–]softsnowfall 5 points6 points  (0 children)

    Waiting for Novavax. We had it as our booster last year and were super happy.

    [–]sistrmoon45 2 points3 points  (3 children)

    I’m waiting for it. I like the data I’ve seen.

    [–]Mavis8220 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    Please, cite the data source.

    [–]RunCabbageRun 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    If I didn't work in a nursing home and be going to school, I would've waited for Novavax for better immunity since I've had Moderna & Pfizer.

    But unfortunately that's not the case so I got the vaccine on a walk-in appointment asap and got Moderna.

    [–]lordb4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    I needed a shot ASAP due to some upcoming risk so I didn't wait.

    [–]CatPaws55 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    Definitely waiting for Nova. I never had any of the others.

    [–]Straight-Plankton-15Eliminate SARS-CoV-2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Same

    [–]valuemeal2 2 points3 points  (3 children)

    I would love to wait for Novavax but who knows if/when that’ll happen. My appointment for Moderna is in Oct so if somehow Novavax comes out beforehand, I’ll cancel and switch. But I haven’t had a booster since Sept 22 bivalent, and then I had a horrible bout of Covid in Dec 22, so I want SOMETHING.

    [–]burntsiennaaa[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Same! Haven’t had covid yet (as far as I know) and my last bivalent shot was a year ago. I need something asap

    [–]FlowerSweaty4070 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Same here. I haven't been boosted in well over a year and covid twice in the past 12 months. At university and thetrs a ton of sick people, I don't trust my masks either (not fit tested). Gonna get the Moderna on Saturday

    [–]valuemeal2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    There’s a way to DIY fit test your masks, which has been immensely helpful for me. I don’t know the link offhand but it was an old Twitter thread, I think it comes up still if you search DIY mask fit test.

    [–]mslinky 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I’m waiting because I had Covid in July and they say you should wait 3 months. Hopefully the mRNA to Novavax booster wrinkles will have been ironed out by then.

    [–]AntsMan33 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Haven't see one study to suggest Novavax is even as good as the mRNA vaccines let alone better/something to hold out for. If there's an actual paper that supports all the social media hype, please cite it. Pub med and Medrxiv have the latest peer reviewed and pre-print studies:

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=covid+novavax&sort=date&size=100

    https://www.medrxiv.org/search/covid%252Bnovavax%20numresults%3A10%20sort%3Apublication-date%20direction%3Adescending

    [–]ihatemaps 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I'm definitely waiting. Even if it's only 5% more effective, I want it. I work remote so I can afford another 2-3 weeks.

    [–]booboolurker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Seeing as how I can’t seem to get a Moderna shot anywhere in my area because they’re “waiting for shipments”, I’ll probably end up getting Novavax since I seem to be waiting anyway.

    [–]gtzbr478 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    The careful pharmacist who I go to for vaccines should have Novavax this year, in a few weeks, so probably not the new one… I’m still going for that one, because when compared to last year’s mRNA bivalent it lasted longer and worked against more variants. Also protected a fair bit against infection (not just severe disease/death). There are no studies comparing the old Novavax against the new mRNA but I’m willing to try. We’re shielding so it’s less risky to get a less efficient vaccine at the safe pharmacy than getting a (maybe) better vaccine in a place where there are no precautions… And since we’re barely ever exposed, it’s almost moot. Hopefully the pharmacy will have the updated one 🤞

    [–]Mavis8220 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Can you cite studies that showed this?I hope to see data rather than chatter.

    [–]Straight-Plankton-15Eliminate SARS-CoV-2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    There are no studies comparing the old Novavax against the new mRNA but I’m willing to try.

    They will all be new and matched to the same XBB variant. The original NVX-CoV2373 that should have been widely used in 2021 will be discontinued.

    [–]thinkofanamesara 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Novavax is not licensed in the UK. And most people here haven't been offered a booster for well over a year. I don't know how everyone seems so ok with how it is going here.

    [–]LindenIsATree 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Novavax is probably not much better than mRNA vaccines. They've had a very effective hype fest on social media. There's a surge now, and so getting protection sooner is definitely better.