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...

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?

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.

Hi. I’m new here. Searched this sub and read previous posts.

I get that Novavax may be appealing to those who are uncomfortable with mrna vaccines. I’m not one of those. I am fully vaccinated. Got my Novavax 2 days ago. Prior to that I got a mostly Pfizer, plus one Moderna (since the evidence seems to show that some mixture is best).

I chose Novavax this time due to claims that it is:

• somewhat sterilizing (preventive)

• broad (protection against future variants)

• longer lasting

• fewer symptoms/side-effects

Does anyone have sources to back up these 4 claims?

If true, this is what we’ve been waiting for but my pharmacist said “we have it but no one has asked for it, you’re the first.” Who wouldn’t go for a longer lasting, broad spectrum, sterilizing vaccine with fewer side-effects?

(In contrast to being bedridden for 24-48 hours for my mrna vaccines, had zero symptoms with Novavax.)

Looking for Novavax stories from those with LC who were injured by the mRNA vax.

I imagine most of us are now steering clear of any Covid vax, but has anyone been brave enough? Is Novavax any different?

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:

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*

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…

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!

My son (16) and I are set to get the Novavax booster this week, after 2 doses of Pfizer, sore arm was our only side effect (in 2022).
As long as it’s in stock and my insurance covers it (on the phone they weren’t sure, and stated they wouldn’t know until I came in). I booked the appt online, specifically checked “Novavax”.

Have you gotten Novavax as a booster? What was your reaction? Long term/short term. Anyone have an ‘under 18‘ get the Novavax?

Thank you.

***Edit to add*** Novavax was expired. Couldn’t even get my kid the Pfizer bc the pharmacy we were at said our insurance doesn’t cover under 18‘s anymore. They would have charged us, now I feel like I just should have paid the money.
No pharmacy is vaccinating under 18 on my insurance.
I have been trying to get answers of where to go for hours now. No luck. I’ll just have to pay out of pocket I guess.