Novavax says new COVID shot now available in U.S. pharmacies

Reuters
Updated ·1 min read
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FILE PHOTO: Syringes with needles are seen in front of a displayed Novavax logo in this illustration taken

(Reuters) - Novavax said on Friday its updated COVID-19 vaccine was available at U.S. pharmacies such as CVS and Rite Aid, a week after gaining clearance from the U.S. health regulator.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the updated vaccine last week for emergency use in individuals aged 12 years and older, nearly a month after the agency cleared updated mRNA shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

The updated shots target the XBB variant. Novavax has set the list price of its shot at $130 per dose, about in line with $120 for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and $129 for Moderna's.

Novavax, whose protein-based shot uses a technology employed for decades to combat diseases, missed out on the vaccine windfall enjoyed by mRNA rivals due to manufacturing issues that delayed filing for approval when the pandemic was raging.

The Maryland-based company, whose COVID vaccine is its lone marketed product, has adopted cost cuts and is counting on commercial sales of its updated shot to help it stay afloat.

The company said that people will have access to the vaccine through retailers like Costco, Publix, Giant, Stop and Shop and Topco along with major pharmacies, clinics, physicians' offices and government programs.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)