Section D: Novavax (Nuvaxovid) COVID-19 Vaccine

Section D: Summary of Changes

Version Date Section Summary of Changes

47.0 9/12/22 No changes

Pathway to vaccination

Section guidance

This section is read in conjunction with Pfizer Vaccine section. This section provides additional operational guidance on the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine vaccination pathway, from booking and scheduling to vaccine preparation onto vaccine administration and observation.

Purpose

The purpose of this section is guiding the vaccinating workforce to do the right thing and have the right resources and information available to provide a safe quality vaccination journey for every consumer.

The key safety points are:

• Approved for use for consumers aged 12 years or over receiving dose 1 and dose 2 of the primary series • Approved for use for consumers aged 18 and over receiving the primary series and booster doses

• Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine does not need to be diluted

• There are 10 doses per vial NPHS Te Whatu Ora recommends vaccination to everyone of eligible age in Aotearoa New Zealand. The first line vaccine where there are no contraindications is the Pfizer vaccine. The Novavax vaccine is available as a second line vaccine for consumers who meet the eligibility criteria. A prescription from an authorised prescriber is required when using the Novavax vaccine as dose 2 of their primary course (i.e., following a non-Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for dose 1), in accordance with Section 25 of The Medicines Act

1981, as it is considered off-label use. Written consent is required for all consumers receiving an ‘off label’ dose of the Novavax vaccine.

This section is designed to be applicable to sites delivering the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine and provides guidance and assistance to providers, to maintain public safety and ensure consistent and equitable vaccination practices are in place across Aotearoa New Zealand.

This section should be read and interpreted alongside the Immunisation Handbook 2020, the Standards, and IMAC resources.

Appendices relevant to this section

Appendix G: Vaccination site screening questions Appendix H: Supported decision-making process Appendix I: Serious Adverse Event Process (process steps, SAC examples, notification form)