MHRA authorizes COVID-19 vaccines: Comirnaty and Nuvaxovid gain approvals

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a change to the license 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-labeling of the vaccine by a manufacturer outside of the NHS, that has been authorized by the MHRA and confirmed to meet the globally recognized 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 authorization 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 defenses) to produce antibodies and specialized 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 authorization 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 authorization 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.