Nuvaxovid

Pronunciation: Noo-VAX-o-vid
Generic name: COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted [ 2025-2026 Formula ]
Brand names: Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted
Dosage form: suspension for intramuscular injection (0.5 mL)
Drug class: Viral vaccines

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 3, 2025.

What is Nuvaxovid? COVID-19 Vaccine

Nuvaxovid 2025-2026 formula is a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Novavax designed to protect against COVID-19 disease caused by currently circulating JN.1 lineage strains of SARS-CoV-2, including NB.1.8.1, LP.8.1, XFG, XFC, LF.7, and XEC.

Unlike mRNA vaccines, Nuvaxovid contains a recombinant spike protein combined with Matrix-M adjuvant to enhance the immune response.

As of July 2025, the vast majority of COVID-19 infections globally are caused by variants within the JN.1 strain.

Key Facts About Nuvaxovid

Protein subunit technology: Contains purified spike protein rather than mRNA
Matrix-M adjuvant: Contains saponins from soapbark tree to boost immunity
No live virus: Cannot cause COVID-19
2025-2026 formula: Updated for current circulating variants.

Nuvaxovid Uses

Nuvaxovid is FDA-approved for COVID-19 prevention in people who are:

65 years of age and older
12 through 64 years of age at high risk for severe COVID-19.

High-Risk Conditions Include:

Chronic respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD)
Heart disease and cardiovascular conditions
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic liver disease
Immunocompromised conditions
Obesity (BMI ≥30)
Cancer or history of cancer
Neurologic conditions
Pregnancy.

Important: Vaccination with Nuvaxovid may not protect all individuals who receive the vaccine. This vaccine does not contain SARS-CoV-2 and cannot give you COVID-19.

How Nuvaxovid Works

Nuvaxovid works differently from mRNA COVID-19 vaccines by using a protein subunit approach.

Nuvaxovid contains a laboratory-made copy of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein produced using genetically modified insect cells (Sf9 cells from fall armyworms).
This purified spike protein is combined with Matrix-M adjuvant, an immune-boosting ingredient derived from saponins found in the soapbark tree.
When injected, your immune system recognizes the spike protein as foreign and creates antibodies to it, which activate immune cells to fight it.
The adjuvant enhances this immune response, making it stronger and longer-lasting.
This trains your immune system to recognize and defend against the SARS-CoV-2 virus if you're exposed to it, providing protection against COVID-19.

Nuvaxovid side effects

Common side effects

Injection site reactions:

Pain and tenderness
Swelling and redness
Itching

Systemic reactions:

Fatigue or feeling unwell
Muscle pain (myalgia)
Headache
Joint pain (arthralgia)
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and chills
Swollen lymph nodes.

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Serious Allergic Reactions

Rarely, severe allergic reactions may occur within minutes to 1 hour after vaccination with Nuvaxovid. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay for a short time at the place where you received your vaccine. Symptoms include:

Trouble breathing
Swelling of your face and throat
A fast heartbeat
A rash all over your body
Dizziness and weakness.

Heart Inflammation (Myocarditis/Pericarditis)

Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have occurred in some people who have received Nuvaxovid or Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted. The chance of having this occur is very low. You should seek medical attention right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms after receiving the vaccine:

Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

Timing: Usually occurs within two weeks of vaccination.

Other Side Effects

Side effects that have been reported in post-authorization use with Nuvaxovid include:

Paresthesia (tingling or crawling skin sensation)
Hypoesthesia (decreased skin sensitivity)
Severe allergic reactions.

These may not be all the possible side effects of Nuvaxovid. Ask your healthcare provider about any side effects that concern you. Report vaccine side effects to VAERS at 1-800-822-7967 or https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html, or to Novavax at www.Nuvaxovid.com or 1-844-NOVAVAX.

Before Receiving Nuvaxovid

Do Not Get Nuvaxovid if You:

Have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous Nuvaxovid or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
Are allergic to any of the vaccine ingredients.

Tell Your Healthcare Provider if You:

Have any allergies
Had a severe allergic reaction after receiving a previous dose of any COVID-19 vaccine
Have a history of heart inflammation
Have a fever or have recently had a COVID-19 infection
Have received other COVID-19 vaccines, especially if recently
Have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners
Are immunocompromised or taking medications that affect your immune system
Have a history of fainting with injections
Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Pregnancy: Discuss vaccination options with your healthcare provider. Limited safety data available during pregnancy.

Pregnancy registry: There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to NUVAXOVID during pregnancy. Women vaccinated during pregnancy should enroll at https://c-viper.pregistry.com/

Breastfeeding: Consult a healthcare provider about the benefits versus the risks of breastfeeding after having the Nuvaxovid vaccine.

How is Nuvaxovid Administered?

Nuvaxovid is given as an intramuscular injection, usually into the deltoid muscle of your upper arm.

Single dose administration.
Your healthcare provider will monitor you for allergic reactions post-vaccination and ask you to stay a short time.

Timing:

For individuals previously vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid should be administered at least 2 months after the last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
May be given with other routine vaccines.

Nuvaxovid Dosing Information

Standard dose:

One injection per eligible individual

Age requirements:

65 years and older: All individuals are eligible
12-64 years: Only those at high risk for severe COVID-19.

What Other Drugs Will Affect Nuvaxovid?

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Tell your healthcare provider if you take:

a blood thinner, such as warfarin
a medicine that affects your immune system, such as cyclosporine.

Also, tell your healthcare provider if you have received any other COVID-19 vaccines.

There is limited drug interaction data available. Discuss all medications with your healthcare provider.

Nuvaxovid Ingredients

Active Ingredients:

Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein - Produced from baculovirus-infected Sf9 insect cells.
Matrix-M adjuvant - Contains saponins from soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria Molina).

Inactive ingredients:

Cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine
Potassium and sodium phosphate salts
potassium dihydrogen phosphate
potassium chloride
disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate
sodium chloride
disodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate
sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate 46
polysorbate 80

May contain trace amounts of baculovirus and insect cell proteins, baculovirus and cellular DNA, lentil lectin, methyl-α-D-mannopyranoside, simethicone, pluronic F-68, Triton X-100, Tergitol, and DL-α-tocopherol.

Novaxovid does not contain preservatives.