Key takeaways:
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) is one of four COVID vaccines available in the U.S. People ages 12 and older are eligible to receive it. The 2025-2026 formulation targets the JN.1 viral variant.
The Novavax COVID vaccine uses more conventional vaccine technology compared to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. It provides an option for people who can’t or don’t want to receive the other COVID vaccines.
The 2025-2026 Novavax vaccine is FDA approved for people ages 65 and older and those ages 12 to 64 at increased risk of severe COVID. But you may choose to get the vaccine even if you don’t fall into a high-risk category.
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The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) has gone through a few updates since it was first authorized in 2022. Today, an updated version is available for the 2025-2026 season, designed to better match the viral strains now in circulation.
As one of the FDA-approved options, Novavax offers a different approach from the Pfizer (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax, mNEXSPIKE) vaccines. If you’re weighing your choices for protection this year, here’s what you should know about the Novavax COVID vaccine.
How does the Novavax COVID vaccine work?
The Novavax COVID vaccine is an adjuvanted protein-based vaccine. This type of vaccine contains an antigen (protein) that’s unique to a germ. In this case, it’s the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.
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Your immune system may not respond as strongly to the spike protein on its own. So it’s combined with an adjuvant — a substance that helps boost your immune response against it. Adjuvants are added to a variety of vaccines to help them work better.
After receiving a vaccine dose, your immune system sees the foreign protein and knows it doesn’t belong. It attacks the protein, creating antibodies that can recognize and fight the real virus if you’re exposed to it in the future.
Protein-based vaccines have been around for a while. In fact, vaccines like the hepatitis B, HPV, and shingles vaccines all fall into this category. This is more conventional vaccine technology compared to the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines. These vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which provides your cells with instructions for making the spike protein.
Who is eligible for the Novavax COVID vaccine?
The 2025-2026 Novavax COVID vaccine is approved for adults ages 65 and older. It’s also approved for people ages 12 to 64 at increased risk of severe COVID. It’s given as a single dose. And if you’ve recently received another COVID vaccine, you’ll need to wait at least 2 months before getting Novavax.
Although these approved groups are narrower than in past years, the CDC has shifted its guidance to an individual decision-making approach for the 2025-2026 respiratory illness season. That means the choice to get vaccinated should be made with a healthcare professional, based on your personal risks and benefits. Even if you don’t fall into a high-risk category, you can still choose to get the Novavax vaccine if it makes sense for you.
Who shouldn’t receive the Novavax COVID vaccine?
People with a history of severe allergic reactions to the Novavax COVID vaccine or its ingredients shouldn’t receive it. You can find a list of vaccine ingredients in the product labeling.
Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine? Here’s how to navigate the latest recommendations.
Vaccine side effects: Most COVID vaccine side effects are mild and temporary. Here’s what to expect after getting one.
Do you need to wait? If you recently had COVID, find out how long you may need to wait before getting a COVID vaccine.
Talk to a healthcare professional if you’re unsure whether you can or should receive the 2025-2026 Novavax vaccine.
How effective is the Novavax COVID vaccine?
During its original clinical trials, the Novavax COVID vaccine was about 90% effective against symptomatic COVID. It was also 100% effective against moderate to severe disease. Since then, the virus has changed, with new variants reducing how well the vaccine can protect against infection.
Even so, the main benefit of the Novavax COVID vaccine is lowering the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Real-world data from the 2024-2025 season suggest that COVID vaccines, including Novavax, were about 33% effective at preventing ER or urgent care visits among adults. They were also about 45% effective at preventing hospitalization for adults ages 65 and older.
For the 2025-2026 vaccine formulation, data is primarily from immune response studies. Since the vaccine changes every year, these studies are a faster, more efficient way to confirm it triggers the body’s defenses against new variants. These studies have shown strong immune responses against circulating viral variants, such as XFG, NB.1.8.1, and LP.8.1.
What are the known side effects of the Novavax COVID vaccine?
Similar to the other COVID vaccines, the Novavax COVID vaccine can cause mild side effects that typically go away after a few days.
Examples of common side effects include:
Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling)
Feeling tired
Muscle pain
Headache
Joint pain
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
If any side effects are bothersome, talk to a healthcare professional about medications you can take for relief. This may include over-the-counter products, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Let them know if any side effects don’t go away or start getting worse.
Serious side effects
While rare, serious side effects and risks have been reported with the Novavax COVID vaccine, including:
Myocarditis and pericarditis: Although rare, myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation) and pericarditis (heart lining inflammation) have been reported after the Novavax COVID vaccine. Most cases resolve with treatment. Seek medical attention right away if you develop symptoms such as chest pain, shortness or breath, and a fast or pounding heartbeat after vaccination.
Allergic reactions: Severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) are rare, but can happen after receiving the vaccine. Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, or if you develop a bad rash on your body.
How does Novavax compare to other COVID vaccines?
If you’re weighing your COVID vaccine options, you may want to know what makes the Novavax vaccine different. Here’s how it compares to the Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines.
| Novavax | Pfizer | Moderna | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccine option(s) | Nuvaxovid | Comirnaty | Spikevax; mNexspike (lower dose option) |
| Vaccine type | Adjuvanted protein-based vaccine | mRNA vaccine | mRNA vaccine |
| Approved age groups |
|
|
|
| Reports of myocarditis and pericarditis | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Where to get the Novavax COVID vaccine
Not all COVID vaccine providers keep all options in stock. If you’re looking for the Novavax vaccine, it’s best to check availability first. You can use the Nuvaxovid vaccine locator to find a location near you.
Where and how you can access the Novavax COVID vaccine can depend on where you live. In general, you shouldn’t require a prescription. But your state health department’s website or your local pharmacy can confirm the rules where you live.
Frequently asked questions
There’s no clear evidence that the Novavax vaccine is “safer” than mRNA vaccines from Pfizer or Moderna. Though, some evidence suggests fewer or less severe side effects with Novavax.
All COVID vaccines approved for use in the U.S. have been shown to be safe for most people, with side effects that are mostly mild or temporary. While rare, more serious side effects have been reported.
The original Novavax COVID vaccine is no longer in use because it was designed for earlier variants of the virus. Like the mRNA vaccines, the Novavax vaccine is updated each year to better match the variants that are currently circulating. This isn’t a safety recall — it’s part of the normal update process to ensure the vaccines remain effective as the virus changes.
There’s no clear evidence that the Novavax vaccine is “safer” than mRNA vaccines from Pfizer or Moderna. Though, some evidence suggests fewer or less severe side effects with Novavax.
All COVID vaccines approved for use in the U.S. have been shown to be safe for most people, with side effects that are mostly mild or temporary. While rare, more serious side effects have been reported.
The original Novavax COVID vaccine is no longer in use because it was designed for earlier variants of the virus. Like the mRNA vaccines, the Novavax vaccine is updated each year to better match the variants that are currently circulating. This isn’t a safety recall — it’s part of the normal update process to ensure the vaccines remain effective as the virus changes.
The bottom line
The 2025-2026 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) is FDA approved for adults ages 65 and older and those ages 12 to 64 with underlying health risks. But even if you don’t fall into a high-risk group, you may still choose to receive the vaccine.
You may experience bothersome side effects, such as arm soreness and tiredness, after getting the Novavax vaccine. These are usually mild and go away within a few days. Serious side effects are rare, but they can happen. Talk to a healthcare professional about your COVID vaccine options to decide which is best for you.
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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Clinical considerations: Myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine safety.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Variants and genomic surveillance.
Common Health Coalition. (2025). 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine availability, by state.
Heath, P. T., et al. (2021). Safety and efficacy of NVX-CoV2373 Covid-19 vaccine. The New England Journal of Medicine.
Moderna US. (2025). Mnexspike- covid-19 vaccine, mrna injection, suspension [package insert].
Moderna US. (2025). Spikevax- covid-19 vaccine, mrna injection, suspension [package insert].
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. (2025). Interim estimates of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among adults aged ≥18 Years — VISION and IVY networks, September 2024–January 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Novavax. (2025). Novavax's Nuvaxovid 2025-2026 formula COVID-19 vaccine approved in the U.S.. PR Newswire.
Novavax. (2025). Nuvaxovid Covid-19 vaccine, adjuvanted- nvx-cov2705 injection, suspension [package insert].
Novavax. (2025). SHIELD-Utah study shows Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine induces lower reactogenicity symptoms compared to mRNA.
Pfizer Laboratories div Pfizer. (2025). Comirnaty- covid-19 vaccine, mrna injection, suspension [package insert].
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). Vaccine types.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Nuvaxovid.
