Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization has published guidance on the use of Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5, a recombinant protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine, in Canada. The recommendations state that Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 can be used in unvaccinated or previously vaccinated individuals aged 12 years and older.
This recommendation supports efforts to provide greater access to a non-mRNA protein-based COVID-19 vaccine option and could help achieve improved immunization rates. The vaccine has been distributed by the Public Health Agency of Canada across the regions, and provincial public health programs can advise on specific availabilities.
Data from clinical trials continue to show broad neutralization responses to currently circulating forward-drift variants including JN.1 and JN.4 for our protein-based non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, while maintaining a favorable side effect profile. Peer-reviewed real-world effectiveness data is being published that shows the immune responses seen in our trials translates into COVID-19 prevention in the real world.1
References:
1. Link-Gelles R, et al. Early Estimates of Updated 2023–2024 (Monovalent XBB.1.5) COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection Attributable to Co-Circulating Omicron Variants Among Immunocompetent Adults — Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, September 2023–January 2024. MMWR. 2024; accessed online February 28, 2024, at https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7304a2.htm?s_cid=mm7304a2_w