Starting today, residents interested in getting vaccinated against COVID-19 have a fourth vaccine brand to choose from. Wake County Public Health is now offering the Novavax vaccine for adults ages 18 and older, following approval by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Anyone 18 and older can make an appointment with Wake County Public Health to receive the Novavax vaccine at WakeGov.com/vaccine or by calling 919-250-1500. There is no cost, no ID, no insurance, and no proof of medical condition or employment required.
“Already, more than a million doses of Novavax vaccine have been administered worldwide, and Wake County is proud to yet again expand our COVID-19 services to offer this new option in our clinics throughout county,” said Sig Hutchinson, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners.
Novavax, like all other COVID-19 vaccines, is proven to be effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death caused by the virus, but it does work differently than the other vaccines.
“The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine uses a protein-based vaccine technology that has been used for more than 30 years in shots that help prevent diseases like shingles, hepatitis B, the flu and other illnesses,” said Rebecca Kaufman, Wake County Public Health Division Director. “We’re hoping this familiar type of vaccine might be popular with those who have yet to get their first shot of COVID-19 protection.”
Novavax is a two-dose series, taken between three and eight weeks apart, and is only for those 18 and older who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19. It is not authorized as a booster shot at this time.
Clinical studies showed an elevated but small risk of developing forms of heart inflammation known as myocarditis and pericarditis, which are extremely rare side effects. When they do occur, cases are mostly mild, and people recover on their own or need little treatment. Out of more than a million doses, Novavax has only identified 17 definite or probable cases. Please talk to your health care provider or our clinical staff if you have questions.
What do I need to do after my shot?
Please sign-up for V-Safe, a symptom checker that will send you occasional texts to ask you how you’re feeling and allow you to report any symptoms. It’s critically important, and it only takes two minutes to answer the questions. It’s the best way to help keep vaccines safe. Go to vsafe.cdc.gov to sign up.
Wake County encourages everyone to get vaccinated. No-cost COVID-19 vaccines are available to anyone 6 months and older at dozens of providers in the county by appointment or walk-in.
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