Section E: Novavax (Nuvaxovid) COVID-19 Vaccine

Section E: Summary of Changes

Version Date Section Summary of Changes

34.0 08/03/22 New Novavax (Nuvaxovid) Section

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 people aged 18 years or over • Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine does not need to be diluted

• There are 10 doses per vial The Ministry 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 COVID19 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.