New Corona Vaccine from Novavax Available by Mid-December at the Latest

On October 8, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, adapted to the JN.1 variants, received approval in the EU. However, a spokesperson for the ministry explained that the release of the vaccine batches by the regulatory authority did not take place until the end of November.

New Corona Vaccine Available by Mid-December at the Latest

The vaccine will be available by mid-December at the latest - free of charge as usual at general practitioners and at public vaccination sites in the federal states. Further information on the available vaccination offers can be found at www.impfen.gv.at. The Novavax protein vaccine is adapted to the JN.1 variants, but according to the manufacturer, it also works against their (currently circulating) sub-variants, including KP2.3, KP.3, KP 3.1.1 and LB.1.1. The Ministry of Health said that the adapted Novavax vaccine offers an alternative to the available mRNA vaccine from BioNTech/Pfizer, in terms of effectiveness they are "almost equal".

Booster of Corona Vaccination Still Advisable

A booster vaccination is "still recommended". This continues to demonstrably reduce the risk of a severe course of disease. The ministry also pointed to the gatherings of larger groups of people indoors and increased travel activities over the holidays in the coming weeks, which would increase the risk of infection. This also applies to the influenza vaccination. Simultaneous administration of both vaccines is medically possible and "quite sensible".

Molecular biologist Ulrich Elling also emphasized, with a view to the current development of the infection curve or the Austrian wastewater data, that a booster vaccination still makes sense now. Although the wastewater monitoring showed a significant decrease in Covid infections in recent weeks. Previously, the viral load had been steadily increasing since around June, remained at a relatively high level and reached a preliminary peak in October, since then a decline has been recorded again.

Increase in Case Numbers Likely by Christmas

The trough should now be passed, the latest data indicate a rise again. "There is a relatively clear picture across several federal states that it is starting to go up again," Elling said in response to an APA inquiry. The molecular biologist also referred to the so-called R-value (reproduction number), which allows conclusions about the spread. This value has been rising again since the autumn holidays.

It was to be expected that there would be a "reversal of the trend after the autumn holidays and with the start of the really cold season", according to Elling. He now expects an increase in case numbers until Christmas, then there will probably be a break during the holidays and then there could be another increase in January.

New Corona Vaccine Also Effective Against New Subvariants

"In this respect, vaccination is definitely useful." This applies not only to those who have been waiting for the protein vaccine from Novavax, but to everyone who has not had a booster vaccination or infection for a year. Elling also emphasized that the vaccinations also work against the new subvariants: "Which variant is currently active is irrelevant for the vaccination." The booster is particularly useful for risk groups and the elderly, but also beyond. Elling also emphasized the risk of Long or Post Covid, which can at least be reduced with the vaccination.

A further wave is likely to be fueled in parts by new sub-variants. Due to the very poor data situation, this can only be estimated to a limited extent, especially in Austria, he emphasized. However, based on international data, it can be inferred that the new XEC variant (a recombinant of the two Omicron derivatives KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, note) is increasing. This is also currently displacing the recently dominant variant KP.3.1.1. (also called JN.1+deFLuQE). However, the increase in XEC is comparatively slow, according to Elling.

Due to the long time many people have been without contact with the virus or a longer past (booster) vaccination, these people no longer have protection against infections, so there is now the possibility of a new, further increase in infection numbers. Although the wave started earlier in the summer than in 2023 and was at a relatively high level over the summer. The case numbers in the autumn and so far in winter have been smaller than in the same period last year, according to Elling - and therefore there is probably even more potential for infections now. Elling also believes that vaccination against Covid and influenza is correct at this time: Because there is the possibility that both waves coincide.

(APA/red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.