Novavax COVID-19 vaccine: administration and availability

December 29, 2023

Starting January 3, 2024, Albertans may call Health Link at 811 to book an appointment to receive the Novavax Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 COVID-19 (Novavax XBB) vaccine. The administration of vaccine doses will start on January 5, 2024 and will be available at select Alberta Health Services public health centres across Alberta.

Due to limited quantities, the Novavax XBB vaccine will not be offered at community pharmacies or community medical clinics. If you have patients/clients interested in receiving the Novavax XBB vaccine, please direct them to call Health Link at 811 starting January 3.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), along with Alberta Health, currently recommends the mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) as the preferred COVID-19 vaccine products for all individuals. However, Albertans 12 years of age and older who have contraindications to or refuse an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will be able to receive the Novavax XBB vaccine. If an individual has already received an mRNA XBB vaccine, they are not eligible for a Novavax XBB vaccine.

For information on dosing and scheduling, please visit www.alberta.ca/alberta-immunization-policy and search for ‘Novavax.'

Alberta Medical Association Mission: Advocate for and support Alberta physicians. Strengthen their leadership in the provision of sustainable quality care.