County of Santa Clara Announces Availability of Newly Approved Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. – The County of Santa Clara announced today that it has acquired the new Novavax COVID-19 vaccine and will begin administering the vaccine at all County Health System vaccination sites on Tuesday, August 2.

Unlike the currently available Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that use an mRNA-based approach to developing immunity, Novavax uses traditional protein-based technology. Both types of vaccines are very safe and effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19.

As with its predecessors, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is administered in 2 doses given 3-8 weeks apart. The newly CDC-approved vaccine is a viable first series option for adults 18 and older in Santa Clara County. The FDA did not approve the vaccine for use as a booster.  The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine can serve as an alternative for the very small percentage of people who are unable to receive an mRNA vaccine due to a history of allergic reactions.