Select a topic below to see the answers to commonly asked questions.
The Novavax vaccine is the only protein-based vaccine available for people 12 years of age and older to prevent COVID‑19. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the use of this vaccine under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
It's available in pharmacies across the country, including Costco, CVS Pharmacy, Meijer, Publix, Rite Aid, Sam's Club, Walgreens, Walmart, and thousands of independent pharmacies. Make an appointment here.
The Novavax vaccine is a protein-based vaccine. It uses technology similar to what’s used in some vaccines for hepatitis B and the flu.
Protein-based vaccines use small pieces of a virus protein. This protein cannot cause the disease. Our bodies learn to recognize the protein as a foreign invader so that when we are exposed to the actual virus, our immune systems can attack it more efficiently.
Protein-based vaccines have been used before to help protect against diseases such as hepatitis B and the flu. This type of vaccine is often combined with an ingredient called an adjuvant, which may help enhance your body's immune response.
An adjuvant is an added ingredient in some vaccines that may help enhance the immune system’s response to the vaccine.
No. The Novavax vaccine uses traditional, protein-based technology and is a non-mRNA option.
During a public health emergency, such as the COVID‑19 pandemic, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may allow the use of unapproved medical products, including vaccines, or unapproved uses of approved medical products to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions.
Before issuing an EUA, the FDA will evaluate and determine if all required criteria are met, including reviewing all scientific evidence about the vaccine that is available to them. Learn more about the FDA’s EUA approval process here.
Novavax is a biotech company that focuses only on vaccines. They use innovative technology to help protect people around the globe from emerging infectious diseases.
Side effects that have been reported in clinical trials with the Novavax vaccine include myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart), injection site reactions (pain/tenderness, swelling, redness, and itching), fatigue or generally feeling unwell, muscle pain, headache, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, allergic reactions such as hives and swelling of the face, and swollen lymph nodes. These may not be all the possible side effects. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. The possible side effects are still being studied.
Much like the flu, new strains of the COVID virus continue to appear from one year to the next. So as with the flu shot, it is recommended that you receive an updated COVID shot to help protect yourself.
Yes. If you are 12 years of age or older, you can get the Novavax vaccine at least 2 months after your last previous dose of any COVID vaccine.*
*The last previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine refers to a prior dose with a COVID-19 vaccine other than a COVID-19 vaccine (2024 – 2025 Formula).
Yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu vaccines and COVID vaccines like the Novavax vaccine can be given at the same visit if you are due for both vaccines.
Yes. The Novavax vaccine was studied in people 65 years of age and older. The Novavax vaccine may be given to people 12 years of age and older.
Yes. You can get the Novavax vaccine if you are 12 years of age or older and have not previously been vaccinated with any COVID vaccine. Two doses will be given 3 weeks apart.
No. The Novavax vaccine is authorized to prevent COVID in people 12 years of age and older. Safety and effectiveness in children younger than 12 years of age have not been established.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, be sure to discuss your options with your healthcare provider.
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to the Novavax vaccine during pregnancy. Women who are vaccinated with the Novavax vaccine during pregnancy are encouraged to enroll in the registry by visiting https://c-viper.pregistry.com.
You should not get the Novavax vaccine if you had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of any Novavax vaccine or if you had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of these vaccines.
The Novavax vaccine includes:
Other ingredients include cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, and polysorbate 80. The vaccine may also contain small amounts of baculovirus and insect cell proteins and DNA. The vaccine does not contain mRNA.
No. The vaccine does not contain preservatives.
The Novavax vaccine contains a version of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that has been produced in a lab.
The spike protein helps create an immune response in your body. This helps protect you from getting sick with COVID if you come across it in the future.
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted is given as an injection into the muscle.
Immunocompromised individuals 12 years of age and older
*Any Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted refers to Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2024 – 2025 Formula) or any prior formula.
†The last previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine refers to a prior dose with a COVID-19 vaccine other than a COVID-19 vaccine (2024 – 2025 Formula).
No. The Novavax vaccine does not contain the virus that causes COVID.
There is a remote chance that the Novavax vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to 1 hour after getting a dose of the Novavax vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you or your child to stay at the place where you or your child received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination.
Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received the vaccine. In most of these people, symptoms began within 10 days following vaccination. The chance of this occurring is very low.
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2024-2025 Formula) has not been approved or licensed by FDA, but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals 12 years of age and older. Refer to the full Fact Sheet for information about the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted.
The EUA of this product is in duration of the COVID-19 EUA declaration justifying emergency use of the product, unless the declaration is terminated, or the authorization is revoked sooner.
There is a remote chance that the vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose. For this reason, the vaccination provider may ask you or your child to stay at the place where you or your child received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received the vaccine. In most of these people, symptoms began within 10 days following vaccination. The chance of having this occur is very low. You should seek medical attention right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms after receiving the vaccine:
Side effects that have been reported in clinical trials with the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted include:
Side effects that have been reported in post-authorization use with the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted include:
These may not be all the possible side effects. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. The possible side effects are still being studied.
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted is a vaccine for use in individuals 12 years of age and older to prevent COVID-19. The FDA has authorized the emergency use of the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted under an EUA.
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted may not protect everyone.
Tell your vaccination provider about all of your or your child’s medical conditions, including if you or your child:
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted is given as an injection into the muscle.
A person should not get the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted if they had:
If you or your child experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest hospital.
Call the vaccination provider or your healthcare provider for any side effects that bother you or your child or do not go away.
Report vaccine side effects to the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1‑800‑822‑79671‑800‑822‑7967 or report online to https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please include “Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2024-2025 Formula) EUA” in the first line of box #18 of the report form.
In addition, you can report side effects to Novavax, Inc., using the following contact information: Website: www.NovavaxMedInfo.com, Fax Number: 1-888-988-8809, Telephone Number: 1‑844‑NOVAVAX (1-844-668-28291-844-668-2829).
If you or your child are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss the options with your healthcare provider.
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted during pregnancy. Women who are vaccinated with the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted during pregnancy are encouraged to enroll in the registry by visiting https://c‑viper.pregistry.com
Please see the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers for more information.
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2024-2025 Formula) has not been approved or licensed by FDA, but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals 12 years of age and older. Refer to the full Fact Sheet for information about the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted.
The EUA of this product is in duration of the COVID-19 EUA declaration justifying emergency use of the product, unless the declaration is terminated, or the authorization is revoked sooner.
There is a remote chance that the vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose. For this reason, the vaccination provider may ask you or your child to stay at the place where you or your child received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received the vaccine. In most of these people, symptoms began within 10 days following vaccination. The chance of having this occur is very low. You should seek medical attention right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms after receiving the vaccine:
Side effects that have been reported in clinical trials with the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted include:
Side effects that have been reported in post-authorization use with the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted include:
These may not be all the possible side effects. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. The possible side effects are still being studied.
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted is a vaccine for use in individuals 12 years of age and older to prevent COVID-19. The FDA has authorized the emergency use of the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted under an EUA.
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted may not protect everyone.
Tell your vaccination provider about all of your or your child’s medical conditions, including if you or your child:
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted is given as an injection into the muscle.
A person should not get the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted if they had:
If you or your child experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest hospital.
Call the vaccination provider or your healthcare provider for any side effects that bother you or your child or do not go away.
Report vaccine side effects to the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1‑800‑822‑79671‑800‑822‑7967 or report online to https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please include “Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2024-2025 Formula) EUA” in the first line of box #18 of the report form.
In addition, you can report side effects to Novavax, Inc., using the following contact information: Website: www.NovavaxMedInfo.com, Fax Number: 1-888-988-8809, Telephone Number: 1‑844‑NOVAVAX (1-844-668-28291-844-668-2829).
If you or your child are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss the options with your healthcare provider.
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted during pregnancy. Women who are vaccinated with the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted during pregnancy are encouraged to enroll in the registry by visiting https://c‑viper.pregistry.com
Please see the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers for more information.
©2024 Novavax, Inc.
COM-US-COV-2300204 09/24
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2024-2025 Formula) has not been approved or licensed by FDA, but has been authorized for emergency use by FDA, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals 12 years of age and older. Refer to the full Fact Sheet for information about the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted.
The EUA of this product is in duration of the COVID-19 EUA declaration justifying emergency use of the product, unless the declaration is terminated, or the authorization is revoked sooner.
You have selected a link that will take you to a website maintained by a third party who is solely responsible for its contents. Novavax provides this link as a service to website visitors. Novavax is not responsible for the privacy policy of any third-party website.
