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Nuvaxovid is used to help prevent COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). If you do get COVID-19, the vaccine can make the illness less severe and help prevent long COVID. Nuvaxovid triggers your immune system to create antibodies, helping your body recognize and attack the virus. Common side effects include pain, redness, or swelling near the injection site, tiredness, headache, fever, chills, and muscle and joint pain. 

Uses

What is Nuvaxovid used for?

Nuvaxovid is commonly used to help prevent COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It can make the illness less severe if you do get infected. COVID-19 can cause mild to severe illness and even lead to death. COVID symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, muscle and body aches, headache, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can also cause a new loss of taste and/or smell.

How does Nuvaxovid work (mechanism of action)?

Nuvaxovid works by triggering your immune system to make antibodies to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. This can help prevent you from getting sick and make the illness less severe.

How should I store Nuvaxovid?

Nuvaxovid is usually given by a pharmacist or other health care provider in a pharmacy, hospital, or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Nuvaxovid?

The most common side effects of Nuvaxovid are listed below. Side effects may vary depending on the product used. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Pain, redness, or swelling near the injection site
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain
  • Swelling and tenderness in the armpits
  • Irritability, crying, poor feeding (in infants and small children)

There may be other side effects of Nuvaxovidthat are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a vaccine. In the U.S., you can report side effects by filling out an online form at https://vaers.hhs.gov. or by calling 800-822-7967. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Nuvaxovid?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Nuvaxovid are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Nuvaxovid may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Myocarditis and Pericarditis. While rare, Nuvaxovid may cause inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) or the surrounding lining (pericarditis). The risk for this is highest in the first week after vaccination.  Get emergency help if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat..

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Nuvaxovid?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not receive Nuvaxovid.

  • COVID-19 vaccine, adjuvanted
  • Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine
  • Nuvaxovid
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product received

Your pharmacist or other health care provider can tell you all of the ingredients in Nuvaxovid.

What should I know about Nuvaxovid before using it?

Nuvaxovid helps protect you from serious infections caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Not everyone who receives the vaccine will be fully protected.

A vaccine information statement should be provided by your health care provider to you before vaccination. This document provides information regarding the benefits and risks of the vaccine.

Your risk of dizziness or fainting, which may lead to a fall, is the highest within a few minutes after receiving the vaccine. Your health care provider may want to watch you for this time to ensure your safety.

Nuvaxovid will not give you COVID-19. .

What should I tell my health care provider before using Nuvaxovid?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Nuvaxovid is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Vaccines. Tell your health care provider if you have had a COVID-19 vaccine. You may need to wait a certain amount of time before getting Nuvaxovid.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • An allergic reaction to any vaccine
  • A previous allergic reaction to any COVID-19 vaccine
  • A reaction to any previous vaccine, including fainting or Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • Fever or recent illness
  • Heart problems, including myocarditis or pericarditis
  • A weak immune system, get infections easily, or take medicines or treatments that suppress the immune system (such as radiation or chemotherapy)
  • Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C in children and MIS-A in adults)
  • Bleeding disorder or take a blood thinner medicine

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Nuvaxovidcould affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Nuvaxovid passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should get Nuvaxovid while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Nuvaxovid

For more information about Nuvaxovid, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.novavax.com.

Interactions

Does Nuvaxovid interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Nuvaxovid and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect the COVID-19 vaccine.

Does Nuvaxovid interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Nuvaxovid and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about all recent and upcoming vaccines, any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Nuvaxovid?

INuvaxovid is given by a health care provider. Keep a record of all vaccines you receive and share it with your health care provider.

What should I do if I miss a dose of the Nuvaxovid?

If you miss an appointment for Nuvaxovid, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.