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(Iowa City, IA) -- A new COVID-19 vaccine tested in Iowa has been approved for use. UI-Health Care was a site for a large trial of a vaccine, by Novavax. Researchers say it's like a flu-shot, in that it contains part of the virus, but not enough to cause COVID-19. The Novavax vaccine is given in two doses, three weeks apart. It's approved for those 18-and older.
UI Health Care was a site for a large multi-site Phase 3 trial, involving 150-Iowans. The study found the vaccine as comparable efficacy to other currently authorized or approved vaccines.
“We are proud of the role we have played in developing safe and effective vaccines that stop the spread of COVID-19, including the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and now the Novavax vaccine,” says Patricia Winokur, MD, executive dean of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, and principal investigator for the UI trial site for both the Novavax vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. “I think this latest vaccine may be particularly helpful for people who are still hesitant to use the newer mRNA vaccines. The Novavax vaccine uses technology that is similar to more traditional vaccines, such as seasonal flu shots.”
The Novavax vaccine, which is administered as two doses, three weeks apart, can also be stored at refrigerator temperatures, making it more appropriate for small clinical practices and other countries that don’t have the same infrastructure as the U.S.
“We are excited to have yet another safe and effective vaccine available to the public in a short period of time. The rapid development of these life-saving vaccines is thanks to decades of foundational research by scientists and researchers at academic medical centers like UI Health Care,” Winokur adds.
UI Health Care encourages anyone who is currently unvaccinated to consider vaccine options, including the new Novavax vaccine, and talk to your health care provider if you have questions.