Current best evidence for clinical care (more info)
BACKGROUND: The recombinant protein-based vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, demonstrated 89.7% efficacy against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a phase 3, randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in the United Kingdom. The protocol was amended to include a blinded crossover. Data to the end of the placebo-controlled phase are reported.
METHODS: Adults aged 18-84 years received 2 doses of NVX-CoV2373 or placebo (1:1) and were monitored for virologically confirmed mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19 (onset from 7 days after second vaccination). Participants who developed immunoglobulin G (IgG) against nucleocapsid protein but did not show symptomatic COVID-19 were considered asymptomatic. Secondary outcomes included anti-spike (S) IgG responses, wild-type virus neutralization, and T-cell responses.
RESULTS: Of 15 185 participants, 13 989 remained in the per-protocol efficacy population (6989 NVX-CoV2373, 7000 placebo). At a maximum of 7.5 months (median, 4.5) postvaccination, there were 24 cases of COVID-19 among NVX-CoV2373 recipients and 134 cases among placebo recipients, a vaccine efficacy of 82.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.3%-88.8%). Vaccine efficacy was 100% (95% CI, 17.9%-100.0%) against severe disease and 76.3% (95% CI, 57.4%-86.8%) against asymptomatic disease. High anti-S and neutralization responses to vaccination were evident, together with S-protein-specific induction of interferon-? secretion in peripheral blood T cells. Incidence of serious adverse events and adverse events of special interest were similar between groups.
CONCLUSIONS: A 2-dose regimen of NVX-CoV2373 conferred a high level of ongoing protection against asymptomatic, symptomatic, and severe COVID-19 through >6 months postvaccination. A gradual decrease of protection suggests that a booster may be indicated.
CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: EudraCT, 2020-004123-16.
| Discipline / Specialty Area | Score |
|---|---|
| Internal Medicine | |
| Public Health | |
| Infectious Disease | |
Additional data on the safety and efficacy of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (adjuvanted, recombinant protein) is noteworthy for 100% efficacy in preventing severe disease in this randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study. I suspect many practitioners will rely on public health vaccine recommendations rather than the independent study of this paper. However, the benefit at a median of 4.5 months of follow-up in preventing severe disease may attract attention.
Six times more cases of COVID-19 infection in placebo recipients than in vaccine recipients. The incidence of COVID-19, 1.9% in placebo recipients and 0.3% in vaccine recipients; absolute risk reduction, 1.6; number needed to vaccinate to prevent 1 case of COVID-19 is 62. The study ended in July 2021, so may not apply to current variants. No data on efficacy of booster doses.
Outstandingly well planned, analysed, and presented study.