Updated Novavax COVID vaccine has arrived in Green Bay. Here's what you need to know.

GREEN BAY - The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine — deemed the alternative to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines — is now available in Green Bay.

It is the third updated and only non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine available that provides protection from circulating variants.

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized use of the updated Novavax vaccine for those 12 years and older. Shipments of the vaccines started getting delivered to pharmacies and doctor's offices in Wisconsin.

Appointments for the vaccine were open in pharmacies today.

Here's what you need to know about the Novavax vaccine before you get your shot.

What is the Novavax vaccine?

The Novavax shot differs from the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines because of its more traditional technology. Both the Pfizer and Modern vaccines use mRNA, a newer technology to deliver a blueprint to cells to teach them how to create COVID's signature spike protein and generate an immune response.

Instead of mRNA, the Novavax vaccine is protein-based and directly delivers the spike protein to the body instead of getting cells to manufacture them. It also contains an adjuvant, which is added to strengthen the immune response.

Protein-based vaccines have been widely used for decades and have been used in vaccines against hepatitis B, shingles, pneumonia and other diseases.

Though mRNA technology wasn't part of approved vaccines before COVID-19 vaccines, it had been in development for years before.

Novavax is considered an option for people who are more hesitant to take Pfizer or Moderna shots because of its more traditional makeup.

So, which vaccine is more effective?

While they are based on different technologies, all three vaccines have been proven to offer similar levels of protection against COVID-19.

Clinical trial results showed each Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax were at least 90% effective in protection against the virus.

Like the updated Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, the updated Novavax vaccine targets the omicron variant, which was previously the most dominant version of the virus in the U.S.

Can I get it at the same time as my flu shot and RSV vaccine?

It is safe to get the update COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at the same time.

RSV vaccines, which are new this year, are only recommended for some children younger than 19 months and people older than 60. Some health experts say you should space out when you get the RSV and COVID-19 shots. People should talk to their health professional to determine if and when they should get an RSV shot.

Is everyone eligible for it?

Anyone 12 and older can get the updated Novavax vaccine.

• If you previously got a dose of any COVID-19 vaccine, you only need to get one dose of the updated Novavax vaccine, based on CDC guidelines.

• If you never got a COVID-19 shot, you should get two doses of the Novavax vaccine three weeks apart.

Where can I get it in Green Bay?

On Friday, Novavax said the updated vaccine was now available at Costco, CVS, and Rite Aid pharmacies nationwide.

As of Saturday, appointments were available at Costco pharmacies in Green Bay.

CVS Pharmacy also said doses were available but people would need to call the local pharmacy to schedule instead of making their appointments for Novavax online.

As of Friday, it was not available at Walgreens or Walmart.

Bring an insurance card if you have it. The cost of the vaccines will be covered for those without insurance by a new CDC initiative called the Bridge Access Program that runs until the end of next year. Most people with Medicare, Medicaid or health insurance will not have to pay.

The vaccine should become more widely available in the coming weeks. All COVID-19 vaccination sites can be found at vaccines.gov by entering a ZIP code.

More: The updated COVID-19 vaccine to arrive in Green Bay today. Here is what you need to know.

Benita Mathew is a health and science reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. Contact her at bmathew@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @benita_mathew.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Where to find the updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in Green Bay