Faberco Life Sciences, Inc. (FLSI) submitted to the Food and Drug Administration the interim data on the use of COVOVAX™ on children 12 to 17 years old.
COVOVAX™ is the first protein subunit vaccine that was granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the Philippines in November 2021.
Protein subunit vaccines pick out only specific fragments of the virus to trigger an immune response1. These protein fragments can neither replicate, nor can it cause Covid-19. The technology used in COVOVAX™ has been used for years in some vaccines such as hepatitis B, shingles, whooping cough and has been proven harmless and safe.
“Some people would prefer a more traditional and well-tested platform. COVOVAX™ may help address the vaccine hesitancy and safety concerns of the unvaccinated Filipinos. This could help the government increase the coverage rate and achieve the overall goal of 90 percent covid vaccination rate nationwide”, said Dr. Luningning Villa, Medical Director of FLSI.
COVOVAX™ has 90.4 percent efficacy against Covid-19, 100 percent protection against moderate and severe disease, 93.2 percent efficacy against the predominantly circulating variants of concern and variants of interest, and 91 percent efficacy in the elderly and those with co-morbidities. The vaccine is well-tolerated with mild-to moderate and transient reactions.
COVOVAX™ vaccine is packaged as a ready-to-use liquid formulation in a vial containing ten doses. The vaccine is given intramuscularly 21 days apart. The vaccine is stored at 2°- 8° Celsius, enabling the use of existing vaccine supply and cold chain channels.
COVOVAX™, manufactured by Serum Institute of India under license from Novavax, Inc., will be available in the Philippines within this month of March 2022.