Federal health officials, led by RFK Jr., have decided to subject Covid shots to greater scrutiny. The Food and Drug Administration has finally given Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine the green light, but with some restrictions that its competitors do not have to deal with. The new license for the vaccine only allows its use for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as those between the ages of 12 and 64 who have underlying medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness if they contract Covid. It’s quite a limited approval compared to the emergency use authorization it previously had.
The FDA missed the mark on an April 1 deadline to make a decision on Novavax’s application. There were reports that political appointees in Commissioner Marty Makary’s office went against the recommendations of career staff who advised issuing the license. As a result, Novavax’s stock price has taken a hit, dropping by 21% since the beginning of the year. It’s a tough break for the company, but only time will tell how this decision plays out in the long run.
Despite the setbacks, the push for greater scrutiny on Covid shots continues. The decision to restrict the use of Novavax’s vaccine shows that federal health officials are not taking any chances when it comes to the safety and efficacy of these vaccines. Only time will tell if this approach pays off in the end. The road to full approval for Covid vaccines is a bumpy one, but it’s one that everyone hopes will lead to better protection against the virus. Let’s see how this all unfolds in the coming months.
