NEW HANOVER COUNTY — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have granted emergency use authorization for the newest Covid-19 vaccine, Novavax, to be administered. New Hanover County’s Pandemic Operations Center began administering the shots Thursday to patients 18 and older.
The two-dose series is given three to eight weeks apart but has not been authorized for boosters. The vaccine is more traditional, created by moth cells and tree bark, rather than with new mRNA technology (Pfizer, Moderna), of whom many are allergic to from its use of polyethylene glycol.
“Novavax is a protein subunit vaccine, which is what we traditionally think of when we discuss vaccinations,” Pandemic Operations manager Jon Campbell said in a county press release. “Protein subunit vaccines have been used widely for things, such as hepatitis B or pertussis for years and we know some unvaccinated individuals have been waiting for this type of vaccine. So we are excited to give even more people the protection against severe illness or hospitalization from COVID-19 that another safe and effective vaccine can provide.”
The Pandemic Operations Center is located at 1507 Greenfield St. and administers Novavax, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (a viral vector vaccine). Appointments are recommended but not required.
Vaccines and boosters are available:
- Mondays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Fridays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
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