FDA authorizes Novavax's updated Covid vaccine, paving way for fall rollout

Group 1 - The FDA authorized Novavax's updated protein-based Covid vaccine for emergency use in individuals aged 12 and up, allowing it to compete with Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines this fall and winter [1][4] - Novavax's vaccine specifically targets the omicron subvariant JN.1, which accounted for only 0.2% of cases in the U.S. as of this week [2] - Despite the limited prevalence of JN.1, Novavax claims its vaccine offers protection against other dominant variants in the U.S., including KP.2.3, KP.3, KP.3.1.1, and LB.1 [3] Group 2 - Following the FDA's announcement, Novavax's shares increased by over 5% [3] - The FDA's decision to authorize Novavax's vaccine came shortly after it approved new mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which target a variant of JN.1 called KP.2 [4] - Public health officials view Novavax's vaccine as a significant alternative for individuals who prefer not to receive mRNA vaccines, utilizing a traditional protein-based technology [5] Group 3 - As of early May, only about 22.5% of U.S. adults had received the latest Covid vaccine shots from the previous fall [6]