MHRA approvals for Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) and Nuvaxovid (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccines
Approval of a change to the licence of Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine will enable thawing and re-labelling of the vaccine outside of the NHS
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a change to the licence of the Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 30 micrograms/dose (single-dose vials) after it was found to meet the UK regulator’s standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
This approval enables the thawing and re-labelling of the vaccine by a manufacturer outside of the NHS, that has been authorised by the MHRA and confirmed to meet the globally recognised Good Manufacturing Practice standards.
The Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine needs to be stored at ultra-low temperatures of -80 ºC and then thawed before use. Until now, the thawing and distribution of the Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 30 micrograms/dose vaccine has been centrally managed by the NHS.
The formulation of the vaccine is otherwise the same as that approved by the MHRA in September 2023.
This new authorisation granted by the MHRA is valid in Great Britain only.
More information can be found in the product information.
Approval for Nuvaxovid COVID-19 to target Omicron XBB 1.5 subvariant
Approval has been granted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for an adapted Novavax COVID-19 vaccine that targets the Omicron XBB 1.5 subvariant, after it was found to meet the UK regulator’s standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
This vaccine has been approved for use in individuals from 12 years of age.
The vaccine causes the immune system (the body’s natural defences) to produce antibodies and specialised white blood cells that work against the virus, to give protection against COVID-19. None of the ingredients in this vaccine can cause COVID-19.
This new authorisation granted by the MHRA is valid in Great Britain only and was approved via the European Commission (EC) Decision Reliance Route. This is when the marketing authorisation application made by the company references the decision made by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). In such cases, the MHRA considers the application together with due consideration of the EC decision, before making an independent decision on the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the vaccine.
More information can be found in product information.