Novavax announced it could start making Omicron distinctive vaccines in January

Laboratory data anticipated in the coming weeks will show whether antibodies from individuals who have previously received Novavax’s Covid-19 shot can neutralise the variant, according to the company. Novavax also said it has started developing an Omicron-specific spike protein antigen and will begin laboratory tests of a new vaccine to target the variant in a few weeks.

Novavax Inc said on Thursday it could begin commercial manufacturing of a Covid-19 vaccine tailored for the Omicron coronavirus variant in January next year, while it tests whether or not its current vaccine works against the variant.

Laboratory data expected in the coming weeks will show whether antibodies from individuals who have previously received Novavax’s Covid-19 shot can neutralize the variant, according to the company. Novavax also said it has started developing an Omicron-specific spike protein antigen and will begin laboratory tests of a new vaccine to target the variant in a few weeks.

How does the Novavax vaccine work?

Unlike the Pfizer jab, which contains mRNA that instructs the body’s cells to make a spike protein, the Novavax vaccine contains exactly the same spike protein as the virus to train the immune system to recognise and fight Covid-19.

The protein approach used by Novavax was first implemented for the hepatitis B vaccine, which has now been administered for over 30 years.

Novavax’s trial data has also shown milder side effects than other vaccines. While around 40 per cent of people who receive Novavax report fatigue after the second dose, that figure rises to 65 per cent for Moderna and more than 55 per cent for Pfizer.