Experts say that the Novavax Covid vaccine could prove to be more safe for children than current UK jabs.
It is hoped that the US shot — which uses tried and true vaccine technology and is manufactured in Teeside — could reduce hesitancy and boost uptake in children.
The UK Government already has 60million doses of Novavax on order and trials show it is 96 per cent effective in adults.
It was also found to have fewer side effects than those caused by Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines.
If granted the green light, the vaccine would be the UK’s first approved protein-based jab.
To protect children against meningitis, the flu and other infections protein-based jabs can be given.
MailOnline was told by experts that approval could allow the vaccination to be given to children and encourage those who are hesitant to get it.
Last month, the final data of the study were sent to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. The approval was expected in days.
Novavax’s injectable, also known as NVXCoV2373 in the UK would be the UK’s first approved protein-based jab if it is granted the go ahead. To protect children against the flu and meningitis, protein-based jabs have been given.
Another option for injections to combat Covid that have been approved in the UK is either a viral vector vaccine (AstraZeneca) or an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna).
Novavax contains proteins that are similar to the coronavirus spikes, which causes the body to make antibodies against the infection.
Coronavirus is a virus that can infect the body. The body has the ability to fight it off if they do.
You will receive two injections, 21 days apart. Novavax is not like other jabs, which need to be stored at extreme temperatures. It can be kept in an ordinary fridge for as long as three months.
The third phase, which Novavax in Maryland found to be more than 15,000 UK residents, was also discovered by Novavax It had a 96.4 efficiency rate against the mild, moderate, and severe diseases caused by the coronavirus original strain.
In the meantime, the US and Mexico tested the vaccine against 30,000 patients and found that it provided 100 percent protection against severe and moderate disease.
Protein vaccines already in use include the hepatitis B and meningitis jabs, which are routinely given to newborns.
The UK has saved thousands of lives by using vaccines, and hChiefs of the ealth said that children’s rollout will keep them in schools.
The virus caused more than 1 million pupils to be absent from school for a week in England during July.
Only one-tenth of over-18s in England have yet to receive their first dose before November 18.
The uptake was only 38.4 percent among 12- to 15-years-olds, and 63.9 % of 16- to 17-years-olds had received a first dose.
The small risk the virus poses to children, as well as concerns about myocarditis after vaccination, are thought to be factors behind the low uptake.
Data from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation shows up to one in 56,000 12 to 15-year-olds will get myocarditis after their first Covid jab.
The Jannsen and AstraZeneca jabs were linked to blood clots among young people.
Novavax trials data show that the jab caused only mild, short-term side effects and no severe adverse effects.
Its study did not include under-18s and was not big enough to pick up on either of the very rare side effects, but found that adults overall tolerated the jab well, with reported side effects being mild and short-lived.
MailOnline was told by Professor Neil Mabbott of the University of Edinburgh that Novavax has less side effects than current injections in the UK. This means Novavax could be an alternative for children who are at low risk of experiencing potentially serious side effects.
Similar technology based on protein has been used in routine vaccines for children for many years, he stated.
Professor Mabbott stated that this may provide safety assurance to people who have hesitated to get their Covid vaccine.
This may help parents to reduce their concerns about vaccine use in their children. It could also have an impact on the uptake of vaccines.
His comments were further emphasized by him: “It is important that you mention serious side-effects like blood clots, heart inflammation and death following vaccinations with the mRNA–based (Moderna or Pfizer) or adenovirus–based (AstraZeneca) Covid vaccines. These have been extremely rare.
The UK ordered 60 million doses of Novavax vaccine. The UK has received more than 400 million doses of 8 different vaccines. However, only 4 have been approved so far by the MHRA.
“The use of vaccines to protect against death or serious illness from coronavirus-related infections continues outweighs the extremely low chance of side effects.”
He noted, however that Novavax’s approval could have an impact on vaccine adoption by encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.
The MHRA Based on data regarding safety, effectiveness and quality, the committee will decide whether or not to approve any vaccine.
Due to commercial confidentiality, the agency stated that it was unable to predict when it will issue a decision.
MailOnline was informed by Dr Michael Head (a senior researcher in global health at Southampton University) that a new vaccine approval would be an excellent development.
“The publicly accessible data on Novavax is very encouraging, not only in terms of efficacy, but also for safety.
“The COVID-19-vaccines currently available are outstanding. However, if extra people can be persuaded to become vaccinated because Novavax is a ‘tried and tested’ approach to vaccine development, then that can only be a good thing.’
MailOnline was told by Dr Alexander Edwards from the University of Reading that the Novavax vaccine was ‘tremendously thrilling’. It is made in a different way to other Covid jabs in the UK, and has very different ingredients.
He said, “The better the number of tools that we have for reducing the damage done by Covid is the best.”
“All vaccines trigger antibody reactions that neutralize the virus. This stops it from growing in our bodies. The most significant benefit is the dramatic reduction in severe diseases.
“But, it slows down the spread. Getting vaccinated helps you protect yourself and others.