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[–]goingtoeat 83 points84 points  (14 children)

Dang, I just got the new moderna two weeks ago! I would have loved to get this!

[–]Swineservant 8 points9 points  (1 child)

Same.

[–]JehovahZ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

NOVAVAX 💪💪💪

[–]FinalIntern8888 6 points7 points  (8 children)

Why? Isn’t mRNA still more effective?

[–]goingtoeat 19 points20 points  (6 children)

I'm not a fan of the 24+ hours worth of side effects that I've gotten with my mRNA shots each time. If I could get an equivalent-ish amount of protection with far fewer effects, I'd be happier.

[–]Toast-N-Jam 9 points10 points  (4 children)

Just got my ‘5th’ shot Monday. It wasn’t nearly as bad as all the ones before. Pfizer.

[–]5pump 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Same, no side effects with this one unlike the previous 2

[–]badnewsbroad76 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I really needed to hear this bc I keep putting mine off thanks to the horror stories I've been hearing about this batch

[–]Toast-N-Jam 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Everyone is different but I was out drinking beer 24 hours later.

Took it easy day of. (Hydration/blend of a bunch of vitamins) went to bed early.

Felt kind of sore next morning / tired and then it lifted quickly. Showered and then said yeah, I’m going out!

[–]badnewsbroad76 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's awesome.

The booster I had last year really kicked my ass, so now I'm acting like a big baby about it. I never thought of taking vitamins.. I think I will try that.

Thanks!

[–]sunqueen73I'm fully vaccinated! 💉💪🩹 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just 24 hrs? I have a good 5 days of sickness, and another week on top of swollen lymph glands. Took the JnJ as a booster and the side effects were a bit less intense (for me). I'll be taking this one as well.

[–]saltbutt 76 points77 points  (14 children)

Wait really? I've been checking periodically for weeks now and wasn't really expecting this any time soon. 😅

I've had 4 mRNA shots and I really wanted to try Novavax this time around, if only to do something different. The side effects after my mRNAs are always rough. A booster is a booster and if there's any chance it's easier on me, I'll give that a go.

Yay!

[–]Tree_pineapple 27 points28 points  (4 children)

There's always a chance since everyone responds differently.

For me, my non-mRNA vaccine was the worst one. I had J&J as my first dose-- that it was my first vaccine could have made a big difference, so take this with a grain of salt. I got a low grade fever for a couple days and had body aches and fatigue. I've since gotten 2 boosters with Moderna and have had no side effects beyond a sore arm.

[–]saltbutt 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Yeah I feel you there, I want to try it once just in case it's better since I know the other two have been tough for me. If it goes poorly, I'll probably go back to Pfizer as it was the best for me of the mRNAs.

[–]ronwheezy87Boosted! ✨💉✅ 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Pfizer has fewer mRNA particles, so I think that's why it has fewer side effects (just IMO, I am a chemist but not a virologist or healthcare provider)!

"Each shot of Pfizer contains 30 micrograms of mRNA, while each one of Moderna contains 100." https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/10/pfizer-moderna-dose-which-vaccine-best/620501/

[–]theaccidentalbrony 4 points5 points  (0 children)

J&J was TERRIBLE for me. I was laid up for a couple days. I’ve never felt fatigue like that before.

With that said, I’ve never gotten COVID, maybe it was effective.

I had a second dose of Novavax a year later, didn’t have any effects from it either.

[–]FinalIntern8888 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same with me when I got J&J. I’m wary of anything that isn’t as effective as mRNA after being screwed on the lack of long-term effectiveness with J&J.

[–]ThreeQueensReadingBoosted! ✨💉✅ 35 points36 points  (2 children)

I did 3 mRNA vaccines before moving to Novavax - I've had 6 doses total. Novavax is really so much more gentle. I've converted a couple of friends and family members and they all say the same thing - Novavax had no to very mild side effects compared with the mRNA vaccines.

[–]immediatelymaybe 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Do you have any good research on combining? So far, my local health agency is not recommending Novavax if you've had mRNA, which I have.

[–]saltbutt 10 points11 points  (0 children)

You're getting my hopes up! Woohoo

ETA: I know they're not the same but I get the flu shot every year without issue. I so badly want my annual COVID boosters to be like that!

[–]ChaplnGrillSgt 18 points19 points  (1 child)

I got the Astra Zeneca vaccine as part of a trial. It was absolutely brutal. Like, couldn't get out of bed all day... To the point I almost pissed my bed because moving hurt and was exhausting. The mrna vaccines were still rough on me but I could at least function (albeit poorly).

[–]mces97 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Wow. Just wanna say thank you for being part of the trials.

[–]FinalIntern8888 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Wouldn’t you want to take whatever shot is most effective? It’s why I have been taking Moderna ever since I got royally screwed with a shitty J&J shot for my primary series.

[–]saltbutt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was my understanding that all three available shots here in the states are materially equal on that front. Happy to be corrected but as far as I know, as I said, a booster is a booster. So I want whichever one ends up sucking the least lol

[–]Same_Reach_9284 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was in the original Novavax trial. I experienced very mild side effects, same as flu vaccine.

[–]LimitinBoosted! ✨💉✅ 23 points24 points  (10 children)

So where and when can we get it?

[–]ThreeQueensReadingBoosted! ✨💉✅ 36 points37 points  (5 children)

I saw a comment on another post that shipments will start tomorrow, so The US should be able to access it from as early as next week.

[–]LimitinBoosted! ✨💉✅ 16 points17 points  (4 children)

The last time there was a Novavax booster, CVS/Walgreens near me did not carry it. Closest locations were over an hour away.

[–]koi-lotus-water-pond 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Call your local health department. Mine said they would carry Novavax when it is available and I live in a rural area with a gutted health department.

[–]HardcoreKaraoke 8 points9 points  (2 children)

Walgreens tech here. It's honestly random which one we get. I'm sure on a corporate level there is a reason for why my store has Moderna and a store twenty minutes away has Pfizer. But as far as at the store level we just get what we get.

So I doubt most stores will get the Novavax since we all already have the others.

[–]thatjacob -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The only reason that all stores could end up with it is that unused doses of Novavax are returnable/refundable so there's no potential loss aside from a small amount of fridge space.

[–]Same_Reach_9284 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A pharmacist at CVS told me some stores had Pfizer and some Moderna simply because it streamlined training issues for inoculation.

[–]Not_FinancialAdvice 5 points6 points  (2 children)

In the US, check https://www.vaccines.gov/

Might have to wait a week or two for the reformulated version to get added.

[–]mattingly890 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I can't figure out if that site is accurate it or not; vaccines.gov said a Walgreens nearish to me had Novavax available, but the Walgreens website hasn't even been updated to support Novavax yet, so...not quite sure what their source of data is.

[–]mwallace0569Boosted! ✨💉✅ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

give it few more days, as early as monday, and check again

[–]thatjacob 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you have any Rite Aid locations nearby, they're supposed to get it. Costco is likely, as well.

[–]TheFabHatter 21 points22 points  (5 children)

I was part of the NOVAVAX clinical trials, it was fine, I have no complaints. I trust the science (I was a microbiology & immunology major from one of the top schools in the world).

I experienced no side effects AT ALL & I didn’t catch COVID, even though I was considered high risk & I’m immunocompromised.

Eventually I had to drop out of the study due to moving & I’ve gotten other boosters, but everything has turned out fine so far.

[–]showmethestudy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am so, so happy to hear about the lack of side effects. I've never had a severe immune response to the flu shot (mildly sore arm is all; and I've never had the flu), but I am seriously laid up for 24 hours after my mRNA shots. Very ill. Then it dissipates almost instantly 24 hours after it starts. Can't wait. Glad I held out for FDA approval.

[–]Seekkae 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I trust the science (I was a microbiology & immunology major from one of the top schools in the world).

Hey random question but do you think CBD, which is increasingly popular, would adversely affect the immune system response to either the vaccine or a virus itself, since CBD is an immunosuppressant?

[–]PowerOfNick 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Do you still mask etc because you're immunocompromised? If so, is it a respirator or surgical/cloth?

[–]TheFabHatter 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Yeah I still mask, haven’t stopped. I only use N95 or N99. I used to use a respirator before masks became available again.

I love it, before masking I used to spend like 40% of my time sick. I could get the cold for weeks at a time.

[–]PowerOfNick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm glad to hear that you get to live healthier now! I'm still masking as well, and considering Novavax. Here's to staying safe!

[–]ILikeCatsAndSquids 37 points38 points  (44 children)

Why are people so excited about Novavax? I don’t get it.

[–]natureintheory 18 points19 points  (0 children)

One thing no one else has mentioned yet: there's data to suggest that mixed (heterologous) vaccination may offer better protection than one type. And that it (the combo of spike protein & adjuvant) may offer slightly broader protection against new variants, and slightly longer-lasting.

But its not a huge difference. Consensus seems to be, if you're at risk of exposure (you work in-person, have kids, etc) get whichever you have access to.

Here's some more info about it: https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/moths-and-tree-bark-how-the-novavax-vaccine-works

[–]FinalIntern8888 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There was some sort of propaganda campaign on here where people kept saying it was more effective but I have yet to be shown data that says that.

[–]thinpileBoosted! ✨💉✅ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Great news. This will be my next shot for sure!

[–]smith2199 12 points13 points  (5 children)

Why was there a delay in getting the Novavax approved compared to the mRNA vaccines?

[–]NerdusMaximus 12 points13 points  (1 child)

I was in the clinical trial for Novavax; I think they got behind the curve because the MRNA vaccines were approved right at the start of their trial (Jan 2021). A lot of at risk folks dropped out to get the vaccine that was available, which delayed the results of the trial, plus its trial wasn't during a surge of cases that made comparison to the placebo readily apparent. I almost dropped out myself despite not being at risk because I had to wait until June 2021 to get a dose that was assuredly not a placebo.

It also doesn't help that this is literally the first product they have ever brought to market... while it was a 3rd party that was running my test site, I was really not impressed with the lack of communication there was with trial participants throughout the process. I also think their delay in the clinical trial led to cascading deprioritizing in allocation of manufacturing resources, which slowed down their rollout even after it was approved.

[–]Barry_144 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The initial delay was primarily due to manufacturing issues on Novavax's side of things.

[–]DuePomegranate 18 points19 points  (0 children)

The FDA had more questions about the clinical trial data that Novavax submitted. Moderna and Pfizer are pros at it by now, Novavax not so much since this is their first formulation update.

[–]koi-lotus-water-pond 14 points15 points  (1 child)

They didn't get their paper work in at the same time.

[–]bleigh82 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

No evidence of this.

[–]spoofrice11 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Novavax has less side effects, but is it actually more effective? (Are any of them considered better at helping you avoid catching covid?)

Going to get our shots soon and not sure if they have that in our town (didn't before).

[–]TreePlantingGuy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s about damn time

[–]thereisnoaddresBoosted! ✨💉✅ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hopefully Canada follows suit soon!!

[–]amazon_gem 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I'm going to be in the States in the next few weeks. Will this be available to tourists, and if so, where can I get the jab? I'm happy to pay for it since my insurance will cover it. Thanks!

[–]proudbakunkinmanBoosted! ✨💉✅ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Woo! Was waiting for Novavax this time (Pfizer first x2, Moderna booster). Assume it'll be available next week? Unless they already shipped the new ones. A local Urgent Care place near me carried the previous Novavax plus Pfizer and Moderna so will probably get it through them.

[–]fizzy-logic 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm scheduled to get an updated Pfizer shot tomorrow. I honestly didn't realize there were so many differences with it and novavax, and I'm trying to hurriedly figure them out so I can decide if I should cancel the Pfizer shot and wait for Novavax. My list shot was Pfizer a year ago, btw.

I've never had a bad reaction to Pfizer, other than a very sore arm on my first-ever dose, so I'm not that worried about side effects. Does Novavax offer better protection?

[–]Different_Seaweed534 8 points9 points  (9 children)

I’ve had every initial + all boosters. 7 shots. I wanted Novavax, but all the controversy and murkiness about it’s approval, and efficacy after mRNA… led me to caving in and getting the latest booster- at Walgreens, so Pfizer.

Now what? Can I safely get the Novavax?

Anyone have any idea?

[–]drummer1213Boosted! ✨💉✅ 16 points17 points  (0 children)

If you get another booster now it probably wouldn't give you much or any of an immune response. You should wait a minimum of 3 months before getting another booster preferably 4-6 months.

[–]PowerOfNick 17 points18 points  (0 children)

What would be the reason to get another vaccine so soon (genuinely asking)? I think you should be fine- there's been a lot of fervor over getting Novavax which I understand, but most of the (theoretical) benefit would probably have been if you had gotten it instead of Pfizer - the mRNA vaccines still work, and another booster of any kind for the near future could be redundant. I get the feeling of missing out or feeling like you may have just missed something, but I think that if you're the kind of person who had been waiting for Novavax but got another booster before it came out, you're also likely living cautiously enough that Pfizer is useful to you in keeping yourself safe amongst other measures. I hope this helps at least a little bit

[–]DuePomegranate 5 points6 points  (6 children)

If you’re elderly or immunocompromised, you can take Novavax ~6 months later as your biannual shot midway before the next update next Fall. If your country doesn’t restrict extra (meaning more than annual) boosters to elderly or immunocompromised, then you can do so too.

Taking the Novavax booster right after taking the Pfizer one would waste the shot. The effects wouldn’t compound.

[–]why_is_my_name 0 points1 point  (5 children)

I agree on waiting, but wouldn't the effects actually compound in this instance? My understanding is that Novavax uses the actual spike protein and MRNA doesn't, which means you're being protected in multiple ways or at the very least the one is a subset of the other, the other being Novavax and thus providing broader protection.

[–]DuePomegranate 0 points1 point  (4 children)

No, it doesn’t compound. mRNA is the instructions for your cells (mostly arm muscle cells at the site of injection) to produce spike protein. If you get both jabs in quick succession then you just get more spike protein. But immune response tapers off with increasing dose, otherwise each manufacturer would just have increased their dose to begin with. But the manufacturers already roughly optimised for dose.

[–]why_is_my_name 0 points1 point  (3 children)

That's what I used to think too, but actually it's not just as simple as more spike protein, which is super cool. From the thread linked below:

"Using Matrix-M translates into an improved magnitude and quality of the antibody response to the Spike protein (antigen) and importantly broadened recognition of locations on the Spike (epitopes).
This improvement was actually seen in the real world with the BA.1 and BA.5 variants and the original Novavax vaccine formula.
Both Pfizer and Moderna released bivalent BA.1/BA.5 vaccines in fall 2022 since the antibodies generated from their original mRNA vaccines could no longer neutralize these newer Omicron variants.
Novavax however did not release a bivalent vaccine because their original vaccine formula with Matrix-M still worked with the BA.1 and BA.5 variants."

[–]DuePomegranate 0 points1 point  (2 children)

That last sentence is implying an intent on the part of the company that may not have been there. Their original formula only finally got improved in August 2022. Just a month or so before Pfizer and Moderna were about to release their updated BA.5 bivalents. Novavax couldn't update theirs on a reasonable timeline, and had to milk the most out of its supposed better breadth. Which to me hasn't been convincingly proven, especially in people who have already caught Covid.

Novavax does have certain minor advantages, but there's a bunch of Novavax fanboys who overblow publicity releases from the company and data that wasn't a head-to-head comparison. This Science article is a better overview for picking between the vaccines:

https://www.science.org/content/article/should-you-pick-novavax-s-covid-19-shot-over-mrna-options

My two cents as someone with a PhD and research career in immunology, but not working in the vaccines field.

[–]why_is_my_name 0 points1 point  (1 child)

LOL, that article doesn't help - the subtitle is: "Limited data and lack of head-to-head studies make comparisons tricky". Am not so much of a Novavax fangirl (though am an Eric Topol one). For me, I had a pretty severe reaction to my 2nd Moderna, and I am quite interested in this line from the article you linked: "Mateo Urdiales found that protection from infection dropped in the first 4 months after Novavax vaccination, but it seemed to hold steady against symptoms; other studies have shown that with mRNA vaccines, protection against symptoms also declines in that time frame." I get what you're saying - it's not a true scientific experiment, not quite apples to apples, and I appreciate the argument. Honestly, for me, it's a choice between the devil you know and the devil you don't, and I'd prefer not to have to choose at all.

[–]DuePomegranate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

LOL, that article doesn't help - the subtitle is: "Limited data and lack of head-to-head studies make comparisons tricky"

Exactly, the point is that people who tell you that Novavax is clearly better are BSing you.

[–]maztabaetz 3 points4 points  (2 children)

I just got a biavelent booster 3 months ago … I assume too soon to get one of these?

[–]NewKitchenFixtures 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It’s presumably fine (first doses were 3 weeks apart anyway), but your protection level from being vaccinated 3 months ago probably means you can wait until later.

[–]vaultdweller1223 1 point2 points  (3 children)

A lot of confusion in this thread.

Hopefully this can help you make a more informed choice re Novavax: https://twitter.com/jeffgilchrist/status/1709359801115742220

[–]Odd_Caterpillar969 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Is this whole thread posted anywhere? I would love to read it but got off Twitter bcs it was making my mental health worse.

[–]WaldoChief 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Can you get this and MRNA?

[–]Tree_pineapple 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Do you mean within the same ~6-month time span? Like double dosing on vaccines? Or do you mean can you get it if you've had mRNA in the past? The latter is definitely fine, the former is unlikely to have gone through clinical trials. Though there might be data out there from the multitude of people who (off the books) did this with the original J&J non-mRNA vaccine plus a second dose of Moderna/Pfizer.

[–]DavidNipondeCarlosBoosted! ✨💉✅ 1 point2 points  (3 children)

I tested positive again three weeks ago. I’ll wait for this one to be in a pharmacy. My wife did also but she went ahead and got it 3 days ago.

[–]showmethestudy 7 points8 points  (2 children)

That's honestly silly. You're boosted from your COVID infection. I would wait 3-4 months before getting the shot.

[–]Zutt101 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Or just not like at all. The whole comment section is fulled with people acknowledging the side effects they are getting. Sure this one might be a lot better, but lets not forget how the mrnas was presented at first either, 99% effective with no to minimal side effects

[–]videogames5life 1 point2 points  (0 children)

nah the vaccines still make you go through less pain than getting the disease withput an up to date shot. Like all medicine its a risk calculation.People should wait 3 months after getting infected though, no reason to go through the process, get side effects, and reap no benefits.

[–]e_l_b_194 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hubby and I got our appointments on Friday! Wahoo! This should have been out in 2020!

[–]MrsClaire07 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got my Novavax today at my Local Costco, no appointment necessary. Husband got his last weekend; we’re 56 & 58 and no side effects beyond a slightly sore arm and next day sleepies for me, lol.

[–]Environmental-Ad1007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Team Nova here. No real side effects other than some weird dreams. mRNA had me knocked out for two full days