FDA approves Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, but with unusual restrictions on its use
www.pbs.org
In its Friday approval letter, the FDA didn’t explain the restrictions although they reflect skepticism about vaccines from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump officials.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a long-awaited approval of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine but with unusual restrictions.

Novavax makes the nation’s only traditional protein-based coronavirus vaccine – and until now it had emergency authorization from FDA for use in anyone 12 and older.

But late Friday, the FDA granted the company full approval for its vaccine for use only in adults 65 and older – or those 12 to 64 who have at least one health problem that puts them at increased risk from COVID-19.

Vaccines made by Novavax’s competitors Pfizer and Moderna already are fully licensed for use in anyone 12 and older, and also are authorized for use in children as young as 6 months.

  • robocall@lemmy.world
    68·
    16 hours ago

    I got COVID for the third time a couple weeks ago. It was my worst COVID yet, which was not as bad as my worst flu.

    • xyzzy@lemm.eeEnglish
      14·
      14 hours ago

      I had covid for the first time this winter and it took three months to fully recover. I experienced every possible symptom, including having such a high fever the first night that I slept under four wool blankets with multiple layers of thick sweaters and other clothing and the thermostat at 85°F / 30°C. I was still so cold I was shaking.

      The next day I spent about six hours sitting upright with my eyes closed and just focused on physically inhaling and exhaling air into and out of my lungs so I wouldn’t suffocate. Six hours.

      I have high pain tolerance, since pain killers of any kind don’t work well on me for genetic reasons, but over the next days and weeks I pulled the muscles in my torso so badly from violent coughing that I would involuntarily cry out when getting up or lying down. They gave me an x-ray to confirm I didn’t crack any ribs. It took months for the cough to go away and my muscles to heal completely.

      I’m regularly vaccinated against both covid and flu, but I got sick before the two-week period for immune system ramp-up was done. I’m sure it would have been even worse without the shot.

      I’m physically fit and in my early 40s. I run and lift weights. I wasn’t sure if I would survive those first two days.

      • MagicShel@lemmy.zipEnglish
        5·
        9 hours ago

        I’ve had Covid twice. The second one wasn’t bad because of the vaccine, but my lungs are still damaged five years later from my first bout with it—which wasn’t even particularly serious (never hospitalized or anything). I lost a bit of lung capacity and ever since I have had an awful barky cough and any chest congestion takes me weeks to clear.

        It’s a massive spectrum of severity.

    • Broadfern@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      16 hours ago

      I feel that. I got COVID (confirmed) back in august and while it screwed up my stomach for 3 weeks my respiratory was fine.

      Forgot to vaxx for flu and got it in November, very literally couldn’t breathe properly for 8 weeks.

      Got a lot of gray hair from COVID though.

      ETA: I did get COVID vaccine when it first came out, and am pro-vax/pro-mask. Just sharing anecdotal experience.