A fifth anti-Covid vaccine about to arrive in France.
The first deliveries of the Novavax vaccine, called Nuvaxovid, are expected “
at the end of the week
”, indicates to
Figaro
the General Directorate of Health (DGS).
In total, “
1.14 million doses
” are to be received this week, for the first vaccinations scheduled “
the first week of March
”.
Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the vaccine from the American laboratory - validated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) at the end of December and by the French High Authority for Health (HAS) in mid-January - is not based on the messenger RNA but on a more "classic" technique, called recombinant protein.
It uses the Spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 combined with an adjuvant.
Thus, “
its particular technology could make it possible to direct its administration towards people who are reluctant or cannot be vaccinated via a messenger RNA vaccine
”, explains the DGS.
Read alsoCould the new Novavax vaccine convince the last recalcitrants?
Note that the High Authority for Health (HAS) has authorized its use only for the primary vaccination - the first two doses, in the majority of cases - in adults, and not for the booster vaccination - the third dose most often -, for lack of a clinical trial.
More than half reserved for Overseas
Of the 1.14 million doses that should arrive in France at the end of the week, 600,000 will be reserved as a priority for overseas territories, indicates the DGS, of which “
120,000 will be sent quickly to these territories in response to their request.
".
The approximately 500,000 remaining doses will be distributed in pharmacies in mainland France.
Read alsoCovid-19: what is Novavax, the new vaccine ordered by the European Commission?
This first batch must be followed by other deliveries.
In total, France is to receive 3.2 million doses of Novavax in the first quarter.
Then, Paris put an option for 3.2 million additional doses in the second quarter.