A fifth Covid vaccination has been given regulatory approval in the UK.
Nuvaxovid, developed by Novavax, has been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after safety, quality and effectiveness tests.
The next step will see it considered for use in the Covid-19 vaccination programme, health secretary Sajid Javid said today (Thursday, February 3).
It follows approval given for Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and the Janssen vaccine (although this is not currently available), the NHS says.
Almost 50,000 people were involved in clinical trails for the new vaccine.
Mr Javid said: "It is great to see our world renowned medicines regulator approve another COVID-19 vaccine.
"I want the UK to be the best place in the world to conduct clinical trials. It’s a testament to the country’s first-rate research and development capabilities for vaccines – with tens of thousands of people taking part in clinical trials here in the UK, contributing to the invaluable research that shows our vaccines are safe and effective.
"The next step will be for the independent Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination to consider its use as part of the UK COVID-19 vaccination programme."
June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive, said: "Our approval of Nuvaxovid today follows a rigorous review of the safety, quality and effectiveness of this vaccine, and expert advice from the government’s independent scientific advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines.
"I am pleased to confirm today that this authorisation has been granted, providing access to a fifth vaccine that can be used to help protect us from COVID-19."
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Chair of the independent Commission on Human Medicines, said: " Nuvaxovid is distinct from other COVID-19 vaccines currently in use in the UK as it uses recombinant protein-based technology which has been used for many years in the development of vaccines to prevent other illnesses, for example Hepatitis B.
"In reaching its decision, the MHRA considered the results of two large clinical trials involving nearly 50,000 participants."
The approval authorises the use of the vaccine in people aged 18 and over for a first and second dose. As with all vaccines, people with an allergy to one of the components of the vaccine listed in the patient information leaflet should not receive the vaccine.
