Faberco Life Sciences Inc. (FLSI) has filed for an amended application for the emergency use authorization (EUA) of COVOVAX to include children 12 to 17 years old.
FLSI said in a statement
FLSI said it has submitted to the Food and Drug Administration interim data on the use in this age group of COVOVAX, the first protein subunit vaccine that was granted EUA in the Philippines in November 2021.
FLSI said COVOVAX, manufactured by Serum Institute of India under license from Novavax Inc., will be available in the Philippines next month.
Citing studies, FLSI said protein subunit vaccines pick out only specific fragments of the virus to trigger an immune response. These protein fragments can neither replicate, nor can it cause COVID-19. The technology used in COVOVAX has been used for years in some vaccines such as hepatitis B, shingles, whooping cough and has been proven harmless and safe.
“Some people would prefer a more traditional and well-tested platform. COVOVAX may help address the vaccine hesitancy and safety concerns of the unvaccinated Filipinos. This could help the government increase the coverage rate and achieve the overall goal of 90 percent covid vaccination rate nationwide,” said Luningning Villa, medical director of FLSI.
