Novavax Vaccines on the West Coast
From 5 July, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccination is able to be used as a FIRST booster without a prescription. This decision follows an update from Medsafe to the provisional approval.
Novavax can be given as a first booster without prescription regardless of the vaccines given for the primary vaccine course.
A prescription for Novavax is still required if Novavax is to be given as part of a mixed primary course.
The Pfizer vaccine remains the only vaccine approved for use as a SECOND booster.
Novavax (Nuvaxovid) is now approved for people aged 18 and older.
The Novovax COVID-19 vaccine will be available at ANZAC Park, Turumaha St, Greymouth on Wednesdays.
Booking are preferred and now available by phoning 0800 28 29 26 or booking online at BookMyVaccine.nz.
Novavax requires two doses to be considered fully vaccinated. A three-week gap is recommended between the first and second dose. Novavax is not currently available as a booster dose. It can be given to people as a second dose, as long as it is at least 28 days since they received their first dose of another COVID-19 vaccine. However, a prescription is required from a GP if a person’s first dose was not Novavax – it’s free to get a Novavax vaccine prescription.
Read about Things you need to know about the Novavax vaccine (321 KB, PDF)
FAQs
About the Novavax Vaccine
Novavax is a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine that is recommended as a primary vaccination course with two doses, given three weeks apart.
The Novavax vaccine has been thoroughly assessed for safety by New Zealand Medsafe experts.
Novavax has been approved for use in 38 countries, including Australia, European Union member states, Singapore and the United Kingdom as a primary course vaccine.
Novavax has not applied to Medsafe to be used as a booster. Pfizer continues to be the preferred vaccine for a booster dose in New Zealand.
Who can receive Novavax
Novavax can be administered to people who have received a different COVID-19 vaccine as their first dose, and this should occur at least 28 days after the first dose of the other COVID-19 vaccine.
People are observed for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccination.
Why is Novavax only available at a limited number of clinics?
With 95% of New Zealanders already vaccinated, we are starting with a small number of vaccines in comparison to Pfizer and will monitor uptake and supply. Similar to the AstraZeneca vaccine, Novavax vaccine will only be available at a limited number of sites across the country as Pfizer is the main vaccine we are using in New Zealand.
If there is demand in an area where a clinic is not easily accessible, we can hold mobile clinics or mobile vaccinations.
What is in the Novavax vaccine?
Novavax contains a non-infectious component on the surface of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which induces a protective immune response when the body’s immune cells come into contact with it.
What are the side effects?
Common side effects after Novavax include injection site pain or tenderness; tiredness; headache; muscle or joint pain; generally feeling unwell. Most side effects are mild and go away within a few days.
Rare side effects include severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis). The vaccine has had limited take up around the world so information on rare side effects is limited.
Can I get Novavax to meet a Vaccination Order/Mandate?
Yes. Novavax is part of the Vaccination Order requirements.
Efficacy against Omicron
Laboratory tests suggest that Novavax has efficacy against the Omicron strain, but real-world data from people vaccinated with Novavax is not available yet.