Coronavirus vaccine
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a recommendation for the EU-wide approval of a new vaccine produced by Novavax. This means that a fifth vaccine against COVID-19 will soon be available in the EU – in addition to the existing mRNA and vector vaccines.
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The EMA recommends the new vaccine for approval.
Photo: picture alliance/SvenSimon
After completing its evaluation, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) now recommends the vaccine “Nuvaxovid” by Novavax for EU-wide approval. The recommendation applies to all those aged 18 and over.
This means that EU-wide approval of the new vaccine is imminent. Official approval by the European Commission has yet to be issued but is expected soon.
New protein-based vaccine
Unlike the previously approved vaccines against COVID-19, Nuvaxovid is neither an mRNA nor a vector vaccine: it is protein-based and consists of virus-like particles that contain the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. “Approval of another coronavirus vaccine by the EMA is very good news. This will be a worthwhile addition to the range of vaccination options in the foreseeable future, thereby encouraging more people to get vaccinated,” said Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger. See the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research to find out more.
Novavax’s work was largely funded by the international foundation Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), of which Germany is a founding member. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has provided funding of 350 million euros for CEPI’s coronavirus vaccine programme to date.