The Novavax coronavirus vaccine has been recommended for use in the EU by a key European Medicines Agency panel, boosting the fortunes of the US biotech after months of delays and manufacturing issues.
The recommendation, which is expected to be ratified into a full approval by the European Commission, would make the protein-based shot the fifth vaccine approved in the bloc. It had been shown to be as much as 90.4 per cent effective in trials, including on previous variants of concern. The drugmaker is currently assessing its efficacy against Omicron.
The panel concluded “by consensus” that the data on the vaccine were “robust” and met EU criteria for “efficacy, safety and quality”, the EMA said.