Covid vaccine: the first injections of Novavax in France scheduled for early February

Europe 1 with AFP 5:07 p.m., January 6, 2022

The first injections in France of the anti-Covid vaccine from Novavax, the fifth to have been approved in the European Union, could take place "in early February", the Ministry of Health said on Thursday.

This vaccine was approved on December 20 in the EU and its use in France is still subject to the opinion of the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS).

This opinion is expected "in the coming days", according to the Ministry of Health.

3.2 million doses for France

According to the ministry, France is to receive "3.2 million doses" of this vaccine in the first quarter, and has an option for "3.2 million additional doses" in the second quarter.

The first deliveries are expected "at the end of January" according to the ministry, but "signals indicate that there could be delays".

Subject to the approval of the HAS, "we could start at the beginning of February" to inject this vaccine in France, the same source continued.

This vaccine has the particularity of not using messenger RNA technology, unlike those of Pfizer and Moderna (the only two hegemonic today in France after the gradual abandonment of those of AstraZeneca and Janssen).

A more traditional technique

Sold under the name of Nuvaxovid, this vaccine manufactured by the American laboratory Novavax is a so-called "subunit" vaccine: it contains a component of the virus (and not the whole virus like the most classic vaccines), introduced into the body. to trigger an immune response.

It is on this technique that the vaccines against pertussis, meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B are based. It could remove the reluctance of people who refuse to be vaccinated because the technology of mRNA is quite new.

"May (this vaccine) be a solid encouragement for the unvaccinated or those who have not been recalled!", Had hoped the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during her approval in the EU.