US CDC recommends use of Novavax Covid-19 vaccine for adolescents

WASHINGTON – The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday (Aug 22) signed off on the use of Novavax's Covid-19 vaccine for adolescents aged 12 through 17.

The recommendation follows the US Food and Drug Administration's authorisation for the vaccine for the age group earlier this month.

The protein-based vaccine received emergency use authorisation in July for use among adults in the US, with health officials hoping it would drive uptake among those sceptical of messenger RNA shots from Moderna and Pfizer.

However, Novavax earlier this month halved its full-year revenue forecast, saying it does not expect further sales of its Covid-19 shot in the US this year.

The company said it was late to the US market and also pointed to softer demand in the face of a global vaccine supply glut.

So far 11,990 Novavax vaccine doses have been administered in the US, according to latest government data.

The vaccine, which has already been cleared in countries such as Japan and Australia for use among adolescents, has also been plagued by manufacturing snags, regulatory delays and sluggish uptake in key markets such as Europe.

ALSO READ: BioNTech expects Omicron-adapted vaccine deliveries as soon as October