It is the fifth vaccine to be used in Europe, but the first based on conventional technology. Vaccination with Novavax will start from Tuesday, 1 March, at noon in three vaccination centres.

After the green light from the EMA and on the recommendation of the Higher Council for Infectious Diseases (CSMI), the Government Council decided to extend the range of vaccines to the new Nuvaxovid vaccine from Novavax.

This vaccine is based on 'classical technology', meaning that it is composed of protein subunits, according to a principle that has been used for decades in the production of vaccines such as those against whooping cough, hepatitis B, or the Human papilloma virus (HPV).

The 30,000 doses ordered by Luxembourg have arrived and will be administered from noon on Tuesday 1 March 2022 in the three vaccination centres of LuxExpo, Ettelbruck and Esch-Belval.

Any resident or cross-border commuter with a Luxembourgish registration number and aged 18 or over can be vaccinated with the Novavax vaccine for the first time, with or without an appointment.

The administration of booster doses in these vaccination centres is only possible by appointment.

Nuvaxovid vaccine can be used for vaccination of adults over 18 years of age against Covid-19 in a primary vaccination schedule of 2 doses of 5 μg (0.5 ml), 28 days apart.

The vaccine may be used:  

  • as a third dose as part of a primary vaccination (with Nuvaxovid) of immunocompromised persons, persons receiving an organ transplant and persons undergoing renal dialysis, according to a schedule at 0, 28 and 84 days (0, 4 and 12 weeks);

  • as an optimisation dose (booster dose) after a single dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, starting 28 days after vaccination with COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen;

  • as a homologous booster dose for all persons receiving a full primary vaccination with Nuvaxovid, starting 3 months after the last dose;

  • as a heterologous booster dose for anyone who has experienced medically significant adverse events after primary vaccination with mRNA or viral vector vaccine.

The use of Nuvaxovid vaccine is permitted as part of a mix-and-match regimen, and in particular:

  • for individuals who have initiated a Vaxzevria vaccination regimen, including individuals who, following a 1st dose of Vaxzevria vaccine, developed a deep thromboembolic syndrome with thrombocytopenia;

  • for persons who have experienced myocarditis or pericarditis, or other serious adverse events, following a first dose of mRNA vaccine;

  • in case of SARS-CoV-2 infection within 6 months prior to vaccination, or in case of intercurrent infection, the administration of Nuvaxovid follows a schedule similar to the schedule recommended by the CSMI for mRNA vaccines.

In the absence of data on the safety of this vaccine in pregnant women, the CSMI recommends using an mRNA vaccine for primary and booster vaccination in pregnant women.