This week, Montgomery County placed its first order for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Gaithersburg-based Novavax.
In July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued emergency use authorization of the vaccine for adults. It is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine authorized in the U.S., according to a release from Novavax.
The county will likely put information online after doses are received and residents who have been waiting for this specific vaccine can find out how to set an appointment, said Sean O’Donnell, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Public Health Emergency Preparedness Manager, during a media briefing Wednesday.
O’Donnell said the two-dose Novavax vaccine is approved for those ages 18+ who have not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19. It is not yet approved as a booster, “but that may come down the line.” According to Novavax, the vaccine is under review for adolescents and as a booster.
The Novavax vaccine is now available for providers, pharmacies and public health offices to order, according to information from the county. O’Donnell said residents can look at the county website or the CDC or Maryland vaccine finders to see which providers in the community have vaccines.
