Health minister Greg Hunt announces the date Novavax - the preferred jab of some anti-vaxxers - will finally become available in Australia

The health minister has announced the date that the Novavax vaccine will be finally be available in Australia within weeks.  

On February 21, the vaccine that might persuade some anti-vaxxers to get jabbed will be available. 

‘I have spoken with the company both last week and this morning amongst many conversations and we’ll be able to commence that program in the week of February 21,’ said Mr Hunt.  

‘What happens from here is now that we’ve got the double green light in Australia, stocks will be released, provided to Australia.’ 

He said that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will go through a detailed batch testing process as this will be the first such shipment Australia gets. 

‘Presuming that’s deemed to be safe and in line with all of the data and science that we have received to date, then that fourth vaccine will be made available from the week of February 21,’ said Mr Hunt. 

Australia has ordered 50 million doses of the Novavax vaccine, which is expected to be popular among the vaccine hesitant as it is the first traditional protein-based vaccine to be made available here.  

‘We know some people have waited for Novavax,’ Mr Hunt said last week.

‘Hopefully this will encourage those people in that less than five per cent to come forward and be vaccinated.’

Australians aged 18 and above will be given two doses of Novavax three weeks apart.

The vaccine will not yet be available as a booster shot or for those under the age of 18.

On December 21 the World Health Organisation (WHO) said data on the safety and efficacy on the use of Novavax in pregnant women was not yet available.

‘WHO recommends the use of the Covid-19 vaccine in pregnant women when the benefits of vaccination to the pregnant woman outweigh the potential risks,’ it said. 

Epidemiologist Catherine Bennett told Daily Mail Australia Novavax was more of a ‘conventional’ approach to vaccines as the receiver was being injected with a protein.

‘The viral protein segment that they’re using as a trigger for the immune system is produced in a laboratory,’ she said.

‘Whereas with the other vaccines, it’s actually getting our cells to produce the protein and then your immune system sees it and reacts to it.

‘(Novavax) is doing that bit of work up front, before it’s injected.’

Ms Bennett said because the protein was produced in a lab, researchers had to work hard to ensure there was no contamination.

‘So what goes into you is a bit more complex because it includes a protein,’ she added.

‘You still have then the production of antibodies (with Novavax).’

Novavax differs from mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna but all have similar side effects after a person is jabbed.

These include soreness around the site of injection, fatigue, headaches and muscle aches.

The vaccine, which is the fifth to be approved in Australia, is able to be stored in a normal fridge for up to three months, unlike other doses which must be kept at very low temperatures.

The vaccine has been proven to have 90 per cent efficacy rate against mild, moderate and severe disease, WHO said.