Novavax is the first protein-based vaccine approved for use by Health Canada and is a two-dose series for people 18 years of age and older. Health Canada approved its use in February and the first installments were shipped here in March from India. Some infectious disease experts have suggested that people who are reluctant to receive the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine may be interested. The 15 people who attended the local Novavax clinic had not previously received the COVID-19 vaccine, Health Unit’s pandemic case commander Donna Churipuy told the health council at a meeting Wednesday night. “An mRNA is still the preferred vaccine,” Churipuy told the board. “But for those who are not willing to get an mRNA vaccine – this would be the next best option.” The health unit will offer another clinic in eight weeks to allow those who took Novavax on Wednesday to receive a second dose, Tsuripui said. He also said that anyone interested in taking Novavax as a first dose can add their names to a waiting list by contacting the health unit. When there are 10 to 20 people on the list, he said they will do another Novavax clinic. The difference between a protein-based vaccine and an mRNA has been explained by Dr. Supriya Sharma, Chief Medical Advisor, Health Canada. Sharma told the Toronto Star that mRNA vaccines contain “molecular instructions for our cells to produce the protein,” while a vaccine like Novavax provides a modified version of the spike protein itself. The protein-based vaccines are already being used for other diseases, such as the flu and hepatitis B, he added. Although mRNA vaccines have been studied for decades, they are new to the public, but have been approved as safe and extremely effective worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Star reported. Meanwhile, health official Dr. Thomas Pigot told the health council Wednesday night that it would probably be several weeks before this sixth wave of COVID-19 peaks. That is why he “strongly recommends” that people continue to wear masks now, he said. “The most important message is that we are not done with this pandemic yet,” Pigott said. “We do not expect the peak to occur later in April or May – and there is a lot more transmission that can happen now and then.” [email protected] SHARE:
