Health Canada approves Novavax's updated COVID-19 vaccine for fall

Health Canada said Thursday it has authorized Novavax's updated COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 12 years and up. 

The product, called Nuvaxovid, is a protein-based vaccine. 

Health Canada said the vaccine was updated to target the JN.1 variant, an offshoot of Omicron. Nationally, the JN.1 group is currently the main lineage in Canada. The variant set off a massive wave of infections worldwide in November 2021.

Guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommends updated COVID-19 vaccinations starting this fall for high-risk groups:

• All adults 65 and older.
• People living in long-term care and other group settings.
• People with underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk of severe illness.
• Individuals in or from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
• Members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities.
• Those who are pregnant.
• People who provide essential community services. 

All other individuals aged six months and older may also receive COVID-19 vaccines, NACI recommended.

Doctors advise fresh vaccines because the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to mutate to avoid being recognized by our immune system and to better bind for entering human cells.

Canada's current contract with Novavax only provides access to domestically manufactured vaccines, which Novavax has been unable to confirm for the 2024-25 season, a federal spokesperson said. 

"Provinces and territories may choose to procure independently from Novavax for their fall vaccination campaigns," the spokesperson said. "Demand for Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine has been very low in previous years."

Earlier this week, Health Canada also approved Moderna's updated mRNA vaccine for rollout in fall immunization campaigns.

Health Canada said it anticipates issuing a decision about Pfizer's updated mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 "over the next weeks."