Protein-Based COVID Vaccine to Become Available Soon in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced on July 26, 2022, that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has endorsed Novavax’s two-dose COVID-19 vaccine as another COVID-19 vaccine primary series option for adults ages 18 and older, following its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation and the United States Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization (EUA).

When it comes to the COVID-19 vaccination, Louisiana residents now have a fourth alternative, one that employs more standard, well-known vaccine technology. The Novavax vaccine is a protein-based shot, as opposed to the mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Protein-based vaccinations have been used to combat diseases such as Hepatitis B and influenza for decades.

“We welcome this news from CDC. Now, residents have even more options to keep themselves and their families safe against severe complications from COVID-19, which continues to surge in Louisiana,” said State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter. “If you have been waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine built on a different technology than those previously available, now is the time to join the millions of Louisianans who have been vaccinated.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has advised all healthcare professionals that this guidance is immediately effective and that they can begin ordering the vaccine. The Novavax vaccination should be available in the coming weeks.

The CDC and LDH both suggest that everyone 6 months and older receive vaccination against COVID-19 and that everyone 5 years and older get a booster as soon as they are eligible.

If you have any concerns concerning COVID-19 and COVID-19 immunizations, or if you require assistance, please contact the Louisiana COVID-19 Support Hotline at 1-855-453-0774. Visit vaccines.gov for a list of locations near you, or text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) in English or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish.