Novavax

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.

For people who still don't trust the mRNA vaccines, there's an updated vaccine for Covid based on older technology, available in the US. (Edit: edited because the post implied this was a new vaccine - but it's just a new formulation of the vaccine, not quite the same thing.)

When I say "available" I'm talking loosely. Availability may be scarce for a time. The link has details on finding it.

Yes, it's been fully tested, the same as any US-released vaccine. It's also believed to have fewer side effects, and it doesn't seem any less effective than mRNA vaccines, so if you didn't like the day-after effect of previous Covid vaccines, this might be the one for you. (I'm sticking with mRNA for now as it's never been a problem for me.)

I'm sure there will still be people who refuse to countenance any vaccine that hasn't been in wide use in ten years or whatever. If that's you, great, no real need to comment, we get it. Folk who start screaming about "it hasn't been tested enough!" and "it doesn't have 3 years of field use!" or "you'll grow moth wings in 2 years!" will assumed to be anti-vaccine trolls and that will be the last comment I see from you.

Addendum: Oh, look, I irritated some trolls. Again. Oh dear me.

I block people after skimming their comment history, when it becomes obvious to me that either they're simply trolls, or literally unwilling to provide cites and references when they make outrageous claims. I block because it saves me time; I don't want to run into the same trolls over and over and anyway, I'm not here to debate. On the topic of epidemiology, I lay out what I know from my training, I provide cites and references, and I move on. People who want to argue but don't provide cites? Of course that's a non-starter. Half the point of my posts is to refine my block list; if you aren't going to bother to learn the basics about something as important as vaccination and are fool enough to prove it publicly, I'm certainly not going to bother with your other prepping "info."

You want to engage with me, bring your peer reviewed studies or at least articles from established, mainstream epidemiologists. You have no interest in anything mainstream? Fine, I'm not interested in hearing your regurgitated opinions from Robert Kennedy Jr, Ron Johnson or your aunt sally's hairdresser.

If you have a problem with that, I'd say it's quite a problem you have there. And if you run to the defense of another obvious troll, I simply assume you're in the next cubical over, somewhere in Russia, and you're gone too.

Ever try arguing with a gas station owner about climate change? Arguing with an anti-vaccine troll is no different; they're either paid to troll outright (*waves to our Russian friends*) or have financial reasons to downplay masks, vaccinations, Covid itself, et al.. No one sensible bothers with them.

But by way of fair reply, to the people complaining that novavax can't possibly have been tested if it was formulated against a recent strain: bring it up with the FDA, who reviewed the data and issued the authorization under an EUA, as described in my cite, above. People who don't think that's good enough presumably don't get flu vaccines either, since they're also updated yearly and go through a similar process. If you are anti-vaccine enough to avoid flu vaccines because they reformulate the payload, you're too anti-vaccine for me to waste time on. I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to people who are prepping against diseases.

Covid vaccines have been out for a few years now. We know the side effects of the mRNA vaccines, as well we should, after 3 years and 10 billion doses administered worldwide. Likewise, vaccines in the class of novavax are using even older technologies which are well understood and well tested, and people trying to convince you that swapping a payload protein for a related one is grounds for fear and loathing, do not have the data on their side or your best interest at heart. It's past time for even paid trolls to realize that the game is over.

This is not a political post (I’m not trying to stir people up), but a genuine question. I’m just wondering what it is about novavax that has people refusing the older vaccines in favour of this one.

Personally, I got Pfizer (would also have been happy with AZ) because I wanted to get a vaccine that had already been widely used and tested, and millions of people had already had Pfizer by the time I did.

That’s not the case with Novavax, so I’m wondering what makes it so desirable. Does it have something to do with the use/non-use of fetal cell lines in its production? I know that some religious people have avoided the vaccines due to their use of the byproducts of an abortion many decades ago (my MIL included), so wondering if Novavax is different in that regard. Thanks!

EDIT: tried to be as non-controversial as possible, but downvoted within moments of posting. Seriously can’t win with this sub.

This is day 4 after taking the Novavax vaccine on Monday. Since Thursday night with no changes in my medication (other than running out of coq10 on Tuesday) I have had restful sleep, normal energy levels and no brain fog at all!

I had mild fatigue and PEM but the brain fog was almost unbearable. I'm a software engineer and each day at work was a struggle and I'd come home feeling like a zombie with bad migraines.

I wouldn't say I'm at a 100% but my brain endurance is back, I don't feel hungover anymore, and I can focus again.

Might be too early to call but I'll take the win even if it's temporary.

Edit: Update 3 weeks later. Brain fog came back but different. The weekend i posted this, I went biking and had mild PEM after. Brain problems came back with the PEM.

My brain is still clear, not foggy but low brain endurance is still an issue. When I do challenging stuff for a little too long, I feel the inflammation rising and I take a break and come back. Altogether, my output is still higher post novavax but not back to pre LC. Also not sure if PEM retriggered my symptoms or if they would have come back regardless.

So the other day I was speaking with a colleague, and vaccinations came up. Everyone in my team is vaccinated, and I asked if they had got their 2nd shot yet. They said no, they were waiting for Novavax and they didn't want to get the Pfizer vaccine, because of "some research they had done".

So I looked up Novavax, and not only is there no data on effectiveness against Delta, the company has never successfully developed any vaccine ever. As far as I'm aware, there's no order for Novavax in NZ, even if they do produce something.

Hence the question.

Anyone else's vaccine hesitant mates/family say they're waiting for the Novavax because they don't trust mRNA vaccines or AZ?

There doesn't seem to be a definite release date in Australia yet....

Guess I won't be seeing them for a while...

I was the only person in Costco wearing a mask. But I got my first Novavax! My first 4 shots were Pfizer.

To celebrate, please comment with your favorite reasons to get Novavax.

ETA oh and it’s my cake day? Well dang!

Just got back from getting the updated Novavax.
My local Costco just got their first shipment this afternoon. I was the second person they administered it to.

Do not trust the costco website, as it will tell you the earliest appointment is saturday. Call and ask, and if they have it they will allow you to just walk in, thats what I did. Took 10 minutes, including the paperwork. I printed and filled out the form in advance to minimize time inside the store.

Good luck finding yours.

Update Sorry i have been MIA guys. I had my second dose of Novavax while i was already coming down with something, so take my experience with a grain of salt. I had the same sore arm as before. The night of the jab i had chills, body aches, sharp pains and lethargy. All the symptoms you would get before coming down with a fever. Didn’t end up getting a fever though. Woke up the next day and chills were gone. Just the body aches, sharp pains and lethargy remained. Was sick for a few more days and then back to my usual self. I will be getting a booster dose when eligible so will update once that happens.

18th Feb - So i had my first dose of Novavax today (Im in Perth Western Australia). Havn’t had any reactions so far. Just abit of a stinging sensation a few seconds after the needle went in. Anyone would like to share what reactions they had, if any?

Here is the link:

Costco seems to be one of the first major pharmacies carrying Novavax. I just signed up for Novavax vaccine at my local Costco in Denver, CO area.

Here is direct link to Costco vaccine site. Enter your zip code or city name:

Got the Novavax vaccine yesterday at Costco. Woke up today with just a sore arm.

Meanwhile the OG Moderna vaccine and booster gave me a high fever, terrible headache, and swollen lymph nodes…

During the second quarter, Novavax continued preparations to deliver our updated XBB COVID vaccine for the 2023 fall season. In most of our key target markets, including the U.S., the Novavax vaccine, if authorized, would be the only non-mRNA protein-based XBB COVID vaccine available.

Initiated FDA submission for approval of our updated XBB COVID vaccine for the 2023 fall vaccination season and reiterated plan to be in market by September*; submissions to EMA and Health Canada in the coming weeks*

I am not antivax. I believe in getting vaccinated, had all the moderna shots and boosters. I feel the need to get that out of the way.

I got covid in Sept and I just have not gotten better. I've had some improvement on symptoms but it's slow, as you all know. I decided to get the novavax shot because I have to travel soon and would like to avoid getting sick again (I will be masked!). I read on here that novavax was less likely to mess with LC symptoms. So I was ready. It's been almost two weeks and my baseline got pushed back. It definitely messed with my system. I'm having non-stop body aches and fatigue. The progress I had made is now gone. I know everyone is different, and we all are going to have different reactions, but wanted to add mine so people know what they're in for.

I'm hoping by the time I get on the plane next week I'll feel better but I'm not counting on it.

Bummer of a day for my team :-( Waiting on notifications.

The Pfizer lowering on revenues by an enormous amount indicates a complete decline in vaccinations and prophylaxis (Paxlovid). It's at the point where Pfizer is no longer making profit on the vaccine. How on Earth will Novavax survive? They also appear to be 1 month late for EU approval of the vaccine (largely anticipated yesterday)?

Edit: pretty contentious post. About 50% up/down votes! Fascinating!

Experiencing some pin pricking sensations in my hair follicles on my scalp and eyebrow starting 3 days after my shot. Has anyone else experienced this?

UPDATE: Went to urgent care and was diagnosed with shingles.

UPDATE: I got the new novavax and it seems to be great! No side effects at all!

Original post: I just managed to book a novavax appointment which is pretty exciting because I had to stop getting mRNA vaxxes due to side effects. (Each time I got one I’d have full endometriosis flare up, arrhythmia flare up, gut inflammation etc. ) I am trying novavax with high hopes that I’ll have a lesser reaction, but I’m nervous. If you’re a person who also reacted heavily to the mRNA vax please tell me how the novavax treated you!

I had absolutely no reaction from my Novavax vaccine this past week. Does this mean it was less effective than the mRNA vaccines I've received before? Anyone else have the same experience?

I've never had a vaccine, Covid, flu, or otherwise, that didn't at the very least give me a very sore arm. I'm probably being paranoid because the pharmacist (Rite Aid in a rural area) asked me 3 separate times to confirm that I wanted Novavax instead of one of the mRNA vaccines. It felt like she was trying to discourage me from getting it.