Novavax (NVX-CoV2373) is a brand-name vaccine given to help prevent COVID-19in adults and some children. Novavax comes as an intramuscular injection that’s given by a healthcare professional. The dosage can vary depending on certain factors.

Novavax is available through an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). An EUA helps make vaccines, drugs, or tests available quickly in the event of an emergency. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the EUA for Novavax to help prevent COVID-19 in adults and children ages 12 years and older.

Novavax is a biologic and belongs to a drug class known as protein subunit vaccines. Novavax is not available in a generic or biosimilar version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Novavax, including its strength and how to receive the vaccine. For a comprehensive look at Novavax, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Novavax provided by the manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Novavax dosage that’s right for you.

Below is information about Novavax’s form, strength, and dosages.

Novavax form

Novavax comes as a suspension in a multi-dose vial. It’s given as an intramuscular injection. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give your injections in their office, clinic, or pharmacy.

Novavax strength

Each Novavax injection contains 0.5 milliliters (mL) of active drug. This is considered one dose.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage to help prevent COVID-19

Doctors may prescribe Novavax to help prevent COVID-19.

If your doctor prescribes Novavax to help prevent COVID-19, you’ll receive one or two injections, depending on your current vaccination status. Each injection contains 0.5 mL of Novavax and is considered one dose.

If you’ve already been vaccinated against COVID-19, your doctor will give you one Novavax dose at least 2 months after the date of your last COVID-19 vaccine. This is considered a “booster” dose. A booster is a shot that helps increase the effectiveness of a vaccine you’ve already received.

If you’ve never received a COVID-19 vaccine before, your doctor will give you two 0.5 mL Novavax doses. You’ll receive the second dose 3 weeks after the first.

If you have a weakened immune system, your doctor may decide to give you an additional 0.5 mL dose of Novavax at least 2 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional.

Children’s dosage

Novavax is approved to help prevent COVID-19 in children ages 12 years and older. The dosage schedule is the same as the adult schedule. For information, see “Dosage to help prevent COVID-19” just above.

If you have questions about your child’s dosage, talk with their doctor.

Long-term treatment

Novavax is given short term to help prevent COVID-19. It’s typically given once or twice, depending on certain factors.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how many Novavax injections you may need.

Novavax comes as a suspension in a multi-dose vial. It’s given as an intramuscular injection.

With an intramuscular injection, your doctor or other healthcare professional will give you the injection. First, they’ll use an alcohol swab to clean the skin of your upper arm. Then, they’ll inject the vaccine into the muscle. They may ask you to sit and wait for 15 minutes after your injection to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction.

If you have questions about how Novavax is given, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also more information on the manufacturer’s website.

If you’ve received your first dose of Novavax and miss your appointment for your second Novavax injection, call your doctor’s office or pharmacy as soon as possible to reschedule.

If you have difficulty remembering your appointment, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Novavax.

How long does it take for Novavax to start working?

If you haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 before, Novavax typically starts working about 7 days after your second dose of the vaccine. If you have been vaccinated previously, Novavax starts working about 7 days after your booster dose. Novavax isn’t effective right after your shot because it takes your immune system time to respond to the vaccine.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with your Novavax injection.

Can Novavax be given for the flu? If so, what’s the dosage?

No, Novavax is not given to treat or prevent the flu. It’s given to help prevent COVID-19.

Because Novavax isn’t used to treat or prevent the flu, the drug’s manufacturer doesn’t provide recommended dosages for this use.

However, several flu vaccines are available to help prevent the flu. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend the best flu vaccine for you. You can also read more about the different flu vaccines here.

The dosage schedules in this article are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor or pharmacist recommends Novavax for you, they will give you the dosage that’s right for you.

If you have questions about the dosage of Novavax that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Novavax. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.