COVID-19 (coronavirus 2019) vaccine, Novavax
What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized emergency use of this vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in people 12 years and older. This vaccine has not been approved to treat COVID-19.
Becoming infected with COVID-19 is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine.
If you have a certain type of reaction after the first dose of this vaccine, your healthcare provider will determine if you can safely receive the second dose.
What is the COVID-19 vaccine?
COVID-19 is a serious disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). COVID-19 is spread from person to person through the air.
COVID-19 can affect your lungs or other organs. Symptoms may be mild or serious and include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, tiredness, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, runny or stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized emergency use of this vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is for use in people who are at least 12 years old.
COVID-19 vaccine does not contain coronavirus and cannot give you COVID-19. This vaccine will not treat an active COVID-19 infection.
Like any vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine may not provide protection in every person.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine?
You should not receive this vaccine if you've ever had an allergic reaction to a Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. Your healthcare provider will determine whether any reaction you have would prevent you from safely getting the second dose.
If you are infected with COVID-19, are waiting for testing results, or are exposed to someone infected with COVID-19: You may not be able to receive this vaccine until you have no symptoms and/or your required quarantine period has ended. Receiving this vaccine will not make you less contagious to other people if you are infected with COVID-19 but you have no symptoms.
Ask your doctor if you are unsure about any COVID-19 treatments you received.
Tell your vaccination provider if:
- you have a fever;
- you have any allergies;
- you have bleeding problems, or if you use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
- you have a weak immune system caused by disease or by using certain medicine;
- you are pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or breastfeeding; or
- you've received any other COVID-19 vaccine;
- have ever fainted when or after receiving an injection; or
- have had pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside of the heart)or myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of this vaccine on the baby.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How is this vaccine given?
Read all vaccine information sheets provided to you. Follow the label directions or your vaccination provider's instructions.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle.
This vaccine is given in people at least 12 years old in a series of 2 shots given 3 weeks apart. Your first and second shot should both be the Novavax type of COVID-19 vaccine.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine can also be given in people at least 18 years old as a first booster dose at least 6 months after the end of a primary vaccination with an approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine.
Your doctor or vaccination provider will determine whether you need a booster dose.
You will receive a reminder card showing the date and type of your first injection. Take this card with you when you get your second shot.
Receiving this vaccine will not make you less contagious to other people if you are already infected with COVID-19 but you have no symptoms. Keep using infection control methods such as self-isolation, social distancing, hand-washing, using protective face covering, disinfecting surfaces you touch a lot, and not sharing personal items with others.
Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not cause you to test positive on a coronavirus test. However, once your body develops immunity to COVID-19, you could test positive on an antibody test (a test to detect immunity in your body from previous exposure to coronavirus).
It is not known how long this vaccine will protect you from infection with COVID-19. It also is not known how long immunity will last in a person who's been infected with and recovered from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccine is still being studied and all of its risks are not yet known. Updated federal public health recommendations may be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
What happens if I miss a dose?
Be sure to receive all recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine or you may not be fully protected. Contact your vaccination provider or health department if you miss your second dose.
What should I avoid after receiving this vaccine?
Avoid receiving other vaccines without first seeking medical advice.
What are the possible side effects of this vaccine?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; confusion, dizziness, fainting; vomiting, diarrhea; fast heartbeats, wheezing, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
An allergic reaction is more likely to occur within 30 minutes after you receive the vaccine. You will be treated quickly if you have a reaction.
You should not receive the second vaccine if the first shot caused an allergic reaction. Your healthcare provider will determine if you can safely receive the second dose.
Becoming infected with COVID-19 is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. Serious side effects other than an allergic reaction may include:
- chest pain, shortness of breath, fast or pounding heartbeats.
Fever may be a normal symptom as your body begins to develop immunity to COVID-19. However, you should call your doctor right away if you have any side effects that concern you.
Not all possible side effects are known. Common side effects may include:
- fever, chills, swollen glands;
- pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given;
- nausea, vomiting, not feeling well;
- feeling tired; or
- headache, muscle pain, joint pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.
You may also use a smartphone-based program called V-safe to communicate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about any health problems you have after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine: www.cdc.gov/vsafe.
What other drugs will affect this vaccine?
Before receiving this vaccine, tell your vaccination provider about all other vaccines you have received and all medicines you use. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your vaccination provider, pharmacist, or doctor can provide more information about this vaccine. Additional information is available from your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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