NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – New Hanover County’s Pandemic Operations Center will begin offering the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, August 4.
Novavax has been granted Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for those 18 and older. Novavax is authorized for initial vaccines and is a two-dose series that is given 3 to 8 weeks apart. Novavax has not been authorized as an option for booster doses at this time.
“Novavax is a protein subunit vaccine, which is what we traditionally think of when we discuss vaccinations,” said Pandemic Operations manager Jon Campbell. “Protein subunit vaccines have been used widely for things such as hepatitis B or pertussis for years and we know some unvaccinated individuals have been waiting for this type of vaccine. So we are excited to give even more people the protection against severe illness or hospitalization from COVID-19 that another safe and effective vaccine can provide.”
COVID-19 vaccines available at the Pandemic Operations Center (1507 Greenfield Street) now include Novavax, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Appointments are recommended but not required and can be made by visiting TakeMyShot.NC.gov. Vaccines and boosters are available during the following days and times each week:
- Mondays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Thursdays from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Fridays from 1-5 p.m.
Monkeypox Vaccines Available
The Pandemic Operations Center is also continuing to monitor the ongoing global Monkeypox outbreak and is providing the Jynneos vaccine for Monkeypox for free to adults 18 and older who qualify.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by an orthopox virus and is spread through close physical contact with a contagious individual or infectious material. It is not a sexually transmitted infection but is spread through close skin-to-skin contact. At this time, there no confirmed cases of Monkeypox in New Hanover County.
The Jynneos vaccine can prevent Monkeypox or reduce severity of illness if given within two weeks of an exposure. This vaccine is available for individuals who self-identify as meeting the following criteria:
- People who have been in close physical contact with someone diagnosed with Monkeypox in the last 14 days
- Men who have sex with other men or transgender individuals, who report any of the following in the last 90 days
- Having multiple or anonymous sex partners
- Being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease
- Receiving HIC PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
- Certain healthcare workers and public health response team members designated by public health authorities
For more information about vaccines or testing related to COVID or Monkeypox, call the Pandemic Operations Call Center at 910-798-6800 or visit Health.NHCgov.com/Coronavirus.