Real World Evidence Supports Protein-based COVID-19 Vaccination

In the early stages of the recent pandemic, clinical studies reported differing levels of effectiveness for COVID-19 vaccines.

One reason for this was that people's immune composition was continuously changing due to new SARS-CoV-2 variants, booster doses, and updated vaccine types.

However, one missing data component was needed to understand these innovative vaccines' effectiveness fully.

Recently, real-world evidence was published that supports the continued use of protein-based COVID-19 vaccines.

A retrospective study published on April 4, 2024, utilized the German Disease Analyzer database to characterize recipients of Novavax Inc.'s protein-based NVX-CoV2373 (Nuvaxovid™) vaccine with its Matrix-M™ adjuvant and explore vaccination outcomes.

Overall, there were 597 recipients (mean age ~60 years) of NVX-CoV2373. After ten months of follow-up, 95% (95% CI, 93–95) of recipients were estimated to be protected from COVID-19.

Furthermore, health outcomes were similar across the primary series and booster populations.

This study was conducted while the Alpha, Delta, and early Omicron variants were in circulation and demonstrated the effectiveness of NVX-CoV2373 in a real-world population.

Real-world analyses such as this are informative during the dynamic evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

The results from this study align with the Standing Committee on Vaccination recommendations and support the use of NVX-CoV2373 for all authorized populations, including those with comorbidities.

The outcomes from this study support NVX-CoV2373 as a viable alternative to mRNA vaccines for both primary series and boosters, broadening vaccine choice.

Notably, these researchers wrote that these analyses should be revisited as recommendations are released for vaccination against the most current circulating variants of interest/concern.

This research was funded by Novavax Europe, and the APC was funded by Novavax, Inc.

Separate from this study, new data from Novavax's ongoing research on its updated XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine in participants who previously received an mRNA vaccine showed robust neutralizing antibody titers for the XBB.1.5 subvariant as well as for the currently circulating JN.1 subvariant.

The data also showed that the vaccine's safety and reactogenicity profile was consistent with its prototype vaccine (NVX-CoV2373).

From an access perspective, updated COVID-19 vaccines are readily available at pharmacies in the U.S.

For example, in Austin, Texas, Novavax vaccines are available at Costco, CVS, Publix, and Tarrytown Pharmacy pharmacies.

From a payment perspective, the U.S. CDC's Bridge Access Program continues offering free COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs.