York Region begins administering new non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

Newmarkettoday.ca
April 25, 2022

York Region Public Health is beginning to administer the new Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, though residents will have to get on a waitlist to access it.

The non-mRNA vaccine is approved for individuals 18 or older, with the region starting up waitlists to facilitate dedicated clinics. The region’s last clinic for the vaccine was April 19.

Director of corporate communications Patrick Casey said the National Advisory Committee on Immunization continues to recommend mRNA COVID-19 vaccines -- Pfizer or Moderna -- for most people “due to a demonstrated high efficacy and longer-term safety data.” But the Novavax vaccine offers another option.

“The Novavax vaccine may be used in a mixed primary series or as a booster dose for individuals that are unable or unwilling to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine,” Casey said.

The Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine is the first protein-based COVID-19 approved for usage in Canada. Like other COVID-19 vaccines, its primary series consists of two doses with a minimum interval of 21 days apart.

The vaccine can also be part of a mixed series with other COVID-19 vaccines, or as a booster dose, Casey said.

The region said it is opting to have dedicated clinics to reduce unused supplies and transportation between locales.

“We organize a dedicated clinic for that vaccine and directly invite residents who have expressed a desire or need to receive the specific vaccine,” the region said. “This process helps minimize wastage of non-mRNA vaccines by reducing transport between clinics of unused supplies.”

You can get on the waitlist for a Novavax vaccine by calling Access York at 1-877-464-9675, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Casey said residents on the list will then receive a direct call once the next clinic offering this vaccine is available for booking. If you are unavailable for that clinic, you will remain on the list for the next one.

For more information, visit york.ca/COVID19vaccine.