With established safe and effective use, protein vaccines offer another choice against COVID-19 Comment

• Authors: Anthony M Marchese, Novavax Inc; Hadi Beyhaghi, Novavax Inc; Walter Orenstein, Emory University
• Journal Title: VACCINE
• Volume: Volume 40, Number 46
• Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD | 2022-10-22, Pages 6567-6569
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.09.064
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Immunology; Medicine, Research & Experimental; Research & Experimental Medicine

Abstract

Approved mRNA and adenovirus vector vaccines against COVID-19 have thus far prevented approximately 2.2 million deaths in the United States. Despite their efficacy, safety, and availability at no cost, according to the CDC, as of September 8, 2022 only 68 % of the total US population has completed a primary vaccine series, among whom only 47 % have received a booster dose [2]. Reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy include doubts over their safety and efficacy, low perceived disease risk and concerns over the novelty of the available vaccine platforms [1]. In a US-based survey of 400 individuals hesitant to receive currently available vaccines, 55 % stated that they would likely receive a hypothetical protein-based vaccine, and 10 % said that they trusted protein-based vaccines more than the other choices [3]. Therefore, an alternative vaccine platform with a history of safe and effective use has the potential to benefit public health by providing an additional choice to those in the United States who have not received the primary series or have not been boosted.