Commenting on the vaccine developed by the manufacturer Novavax, called Nuvaxovid, Gytis Andrulionis, the head of the State Medicines Control Agency, says that it is a more common vaccine for us.

“Lithuania, together with other EU members, has purchased vaccines from Novavax.

It has just reached Europe and is currently being evaluated and tested for quality. It is expected to reach all EU members around mid-February.

This is a welcome vaccine in Lithuania – a protein vaccine. It is a traditional, known and tested production platform.

There are people waiting for her to get vaccinated. There is evidence that they help to create high levels of antibodies, ”says the head of the service.

Head of the Health Technology Assessment Division of the State Medicines Control Service dr. Rugilė Pilvinienė stated that it is only a vaccine for adults. “It’s a so-called adjuvanted vaccine, which is a needle protein with a certain additional component to the vaccine’s effects.

This vaccine is for people 18 years of age and older.

It should be used in a two-dose regimen.

This vaccine has been studied in clinical trials in the same way as previous vaccines. Her research has been conducted in the Republic of South Africa, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Australia, ”said R. Pilvinienė.

She added that research shows that after the vaccine pathogenic side effects, as after the vaccines currently used in Lithuania: “Side effects related to injection, fatigue, muscle, headache, general malaise, as well as nausea and vomiting.

No evidence of serious adverse reactions was found in the studies. “

At the end of last year, the Ministry of Health announced that Nuvaxovid should reach 633 thousand people in Lithuania this year.

The ministry said Nuvaxovid was available for primary vaccination against COVID-19, with clinical trials showing a 90% effectiveness.

“The manufacturer also promises to adapt the vaccine to new strains of the coronavirus, such as Omikron.

However, it is already clear that Nuvaxovid provides a very high antibody titre, which is important in protecting your body against new strains of coronavirus.

Nuvaxovid is a vaccine based on a well-known technology that has been used for more than 30 years.

Protein-based vaccines against hepatitis B, pertussis and pneumococcal infections are also being developed, the ministry said.

The European Commission on 4 August this year. has signed a preliminary purchase agreement with Novavax, which provides for the purchase of up to 100 million doses of vaccines for EU member states, and for the ordering of another 100 million doses by 2023 if there is an additional need.

2022 Lithuania should receive 132 thousand. A further 310,560 doses of Nuvaxovid are expected for the second quarter.