Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine

All COVID-19 vaccines authorized in Canada are proven safe, effective and of high quality.

On this page

• Who the vaccine is approved for
• Effectiveness
• Dosage
• Vaccine ingredients
• Possible side effects
• Vaccine review, approval and monitoring
• Get vaccinated

Who the vaccine is approved for

The vaccine is approved for people who are 18 years of age and older. Its safety and effectiveness in people younger than 18 years of age have not yet been established.

Effectiveness

Clinical trials showed that beginning 1 week after the second dose, Novavax Nuvaxovid^® COVID-19 vaccine was:

• 90% effective in protecting trial participants aged 18 and above against COVID-19

Dosage

The dosing schedule approved by Health Canada is to give 2 doses 21 days apart, based on evidence from clinical trials. One dose contains 5 micrograms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (original strain) with 50 micrograms of Matrix-M adjuvant.

Your province or territory decides when people receive their doses of the vaccine.

These decisions are based on public health recommendations and the latest evidence.

• Find out how provinces and territories are making COVID-19 vaccine decisions

Vaccine ingredients

Medicinal ingredient

• SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike (rS) protein (original strain)

Other ingredients

Non-medicinal ingredients

• disodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate
• hydrochloric acid (for adjustment of pH)
• polysorbate 80
• sodium chloride
• sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate
• sodium hydroxide (for adjustment of pH)
• water for injection

Matrix-M adjuvant is composed of 40 nanometer particles based on saponin extracted from the Quillaja saponaria Molina bark, also known as the soap bark tree. The adjuvant is an ingredient that helps stimulate an immune response to the vaccine.

For adjuvant:

• cholesterol
• phosphatidylcholine
• potassium chloride
• potassium dihydrogen phosphate
• disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate
• sodium chloride

Possible side effects

After getting vaccinated, it's common to have temporary side effects. These can last a few hours to a few days after vaccination.

This is the body's natural response, as it's working hard to build protection against the disease.

Common vaccine side effects may include:

Symptoms at the injection site, such as:	More general symptoms, such as:
redness soreness swelling	chills fatigue joint pain headache mild fever muscle aches nausea and vomiting

Rare vaccine side effects

A severe allergic (anaphylaxis) reaction is rare. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

• hives (bumps on the skin that are often very itchy)
• swelling of the lips, face, tongue or airway
• difficulty breathing
• increased heart rate
• loss of consciousness
• sudden low blood pressure
• abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea

Call emergency services if you develop or witness any serious symptoms that could be an allergic reaction after vaccination.

Reporting a possible serious reaction

Contact your health care provider if you experience:

• a side effect following vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine
• any persistent, new or worsening symptoms

Health care providers must report possible reactions following vaccination to their local public health authority. The public health authority then reports them to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Reported allergic reactions and side effects to COVID-19 vaccines are published weekly in our Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination report.

Vaccine review, approval and monitoring

Health Canada's independent drug review process is recognized around the world for its high standards and rigor. Our decisions are based only on scientific and medical evidence showing that vaccines are safe and effective. The benefits must also outweigh any risks.

The Novavax Nuvaxovid^® COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for use in Canada under the Food and Drug Regulations.

Find detailed technical information such as the product monograph and the regulatory decision summary:

• Novavax Nuvaxovid^® vaccine regulatory information

As COVID-19 vaccines are administered across Canada, our safety monitoring is ongoing. The Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, and provincial and territorial health authorities continue to:

• monitor the use of all COVID-19 vaccines closely
• examine and assess any new safety concerns

Learn about the side effects we're currently monitoring.

Get vaccinated

How to get vaccinated near you

Related links

• COVID-19: Proof of vaccination
• Number of doses given in Canada
• Canada's vaccine supply
• All drugs and vaccines approved for COVID-19
• COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth
• What to expect at your vaccination
• Interim Order respecting the importation, sale and advertising of drugs for use in relation to COVID-19