Long Beach will offer Novavax vaccines starting today

Beginning today, Aug. 1, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services will begin offering the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use authorization of the Novavax vaccine on July 13. It has since been approved by both the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.

“We are thrilled to begin offering the Novavax vaccine to our community,” Mayor Robert Garcia said in a statement. “With more options available, we are increasing access to these life-saving vaccines. We urge everyone to become vaccinated and protected if they haven’t already. Vaccines are safe and effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death.”

The Novavax vaccine, approved for use for adults ages 18 and older, will be administered as a two-dose primary series three to eight weeks apart.

Novavax is a protein-based vaccine designed and manufactured differently than the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna. The technology used in Novavax has been widely used in FDA-approved vaccines for decades, according to a statement from the Long Beach Health Department. Additionally, Novavax offers an alternative for those who may be allergic to the mRNA vaccines.

The Novavax vaccine will not be listed as an available option on the State vaccine site MyTurn until the end of August, but Long Beach residents can request a Novavax vaccine at any City-run vaccine clinic beginning today.

In Long Beach, vaccines are now available to everyone 6 months old and older.

“The Health Department continues to urge everyone to get vaccinated and boosted when eligible, as it remains the single best way to protect yourself and those around you against COVID-19,” said a statement from the Health Department. “Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and especially effective at preventing hospitalization, serious illness or death among breakthrough cases of the virus.”

To view the most up-to-date vaccine clinic schedule and to schedule an appointment, visit longbeach.gov/vaxLB or call 562-570-4636. People also can visit MyTurn.ca.gov to find vaccine appointments. To keep up with COVID-19 information in Long Beach, including current health orders and case numbers, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19.