Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the regulatory approval of covid-19 vaccine Nuvaxovid, what plans she has for the usage of this vaccine as (a) a covid-19 booster vaccination or (b) other uses.

On 3 February 2022, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved Nuvaxovid for use as a COVID-19 primary course vaccination. The Government accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that in exceptional circumstances, Nuvaxovid may be used when no clinically suitable United Kingdom-approved COVID-19 vaccine alternative is available. The JCVI’s advice allows its use in either COVID-19 primary course vaccination or off-label as a COVID-19 booster dose. In line with the JCVI’s advice, the Nuvaxovid vaccine is the current alternative for those who are clinically intolerant to and are unable to receive the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna. Deployment of Nuvaxovid began on 28 September 2022.