1 12/01/2023 CS328127-H

Updated (2023–2024 Formula)

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine 

At-A-Glance 

Updated (2023–2024 Formula)

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine 

At-A-Glance 

Guidance below summarizes basic storage, 

preparation, scheduling, and administration for 

2023–24 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine product.

Ages: 12 years of age and older 

(blue cap and blue label)

Multidose Vial

Storage and Handling Basics

* Check expiration date by scanning the QR on the outer carton or go to: www.novavaxcovidvaccine.com

Find additional guidance on storing the vaccine properly at:

 CDC Storage and Handling Toolkit

 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted | FDA

 Investigational Vaccine Candidate | Novavax COVID-19 

Vaccine (novavaxcovidvaccine.com)

Vial Cap and Label Color Blue Cap and Blue Label

Ages 12 years and older

Supplied in: MDV: 5 doses per vial No diluent 

Storage Temperature: Before Puncture Do NOT freeze Between: 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F) for up to 9 months.*

Storage Temperature: After 1st Puncture Do NOT use after 12 hours

Between: 2°C and 25°C (36°F and 77°F) for up to 12 hours. 

Discard vial and any unused vaccine after 12 hours.

Note: The beyond-use time (12 hours) replaces the 

manufacturer’s expiration date but NEVER extends it. Always use 

the earliest date. Do NOT use vaccine if the expiration date or 

beyond-use time has passed.

Preparation and Administration Basics 

Find additional guidance on preparing and administering 

vaccine properly at:

 Interim Clinical Consideration for use of COVID-19 

Vaccine | CDC 

 Vaccine Administration Resource Library | CDC

 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted | FDA

 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine (novavaxcovidvaccine.com)

Preparation 

 Inspect the vial.

 Check the vial label to ensure the expiration date has not 

passed. Note: The beyond-use time of 12 hours replaces 

the manufacturer’s expiration date but NEVER extends it. 

Always use the earliest date. Do NOT use vaccine after the 

expiration date or beyond-use time.

 Gently swirl the multi-dose vial before each dose 

withdrawal. 

 Do NOT shake. 

 Refer to EUA Fact Sheet for detailed instructions.

 Record the date and time of the first puncture on the vial 

label. 

Administration

 COVID-19 vaccine may be administered at the same 

clinical visit as other vaccines.

 Administer intramuscularly. 

 Do NOT “pool" vaccine from more than 1 vial to obtain 

a dose. If a full dose cannot be withdrawn, discard the 

multidose vial and any remaining vaccine.

 After the first needle puncture, hold the vial between 2°C 

and 25°C (36°F and 77°F). 

 Discard vial 12 hours after the first puncture. 
2 12/01/2023 CS328127-H

Updated (2023–2024 Formula)

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine 

At-A-Glance 

Recipient’s Age Dosage Route Needle gauge 

and length Site 

12 years of age 

and older

0.5 mL/5 μg rS and 50 μg of 

Matrix-MTM adjuvant IM injection 22–25 gauge, 1"* Deltoid muscle in the upper arm†

* See Vaccine Administration: Needle Gauge and Length chart for more details.

† Vastus lateralis muscle in the anterolateral thigh may be used.

Scheduling Doses 

 The number of recommended 2023–24 COVID-19 vaccine 

doses varies by vaccine, vaccination history, and the 

presence of moderate or severe immune compromise.

 Review CDC's Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of 

COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States for detailed clinical 

guidance when scheduling doses and the Interim COVID-19 

Immunization Schedule for summary information.

Contraindications, Precautions, and PostVaccination Observation

Screen for contraindications and precautions before 

administering EACH dose — even if the vaccine was 

previously administered. 

Contraindications

A severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after previous 

dose or to a component of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.‡

Precautions

Moderate to severe acute illness, with or without fever.

History of:

 A diagnosed non-severe allergy to a component of 

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.‡

 Non-severe, immediate (onset less than 4 hours) allergic 

reaction after administration of a previous dose of 

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine 

 Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) 

or adults (MIS-A).

 Myocarditis or pericarditis within 3 weeks after a dose of 

any COVID-19 vaccine. 

Consider observing persons after vaccination to 

monitor for allergic reactions and syncope: 

 30 minutes for persons with:

○ A history of non-severe, immediate (onset within 

4 hours) allergic reaction after a previous dose of 

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. 

‡ See FDA fact sheet for a full list of vaccine ingredients. 

○ A history of a diagnosed non-severe allergy to a 

component of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, if 

receiving Novavax vaccine. 

 15 minutes: All other persons 

Documentation

Document each recipient's vaccine administration information:

 Medical record: The vaccine and the date it was 

administered, manufacturer, lot number, vaccination site 

and route, name and title of the person administering 

the vaccine.

 Vaccination record for recipient: Date of vaccination, 

product name/manufacturer, lot number, and name/location 

of the administering clinic or health care professional. 

 Immunization information system (IIS): Report the 

vaccination to the appropriate state/local IIS. 

Report Adverse Events to the Vaccine Adverse 

Event Reporting System (VAERS) 

 Adverse events (AEs) that occur in a recipient following 

administration of any licensed or authorized COVID-19 

vaccine should be reported to VAERS, including: 

○ Vaccine administration errors (whether associated with 

an adverse event or not)

○ Serious AEs (irrespective of attribution to vaccination)

○ Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) in adults or 

children

○ Cases of myocarditis

○ Cases of pericarditis

○ Cases of COVID-19 that result in hospitalization or death.

Reporting is also encouraged for any other clinically 

significant adverse event, even if it is uncertain whether the 

vaccine caused the event. Information on how to submit a 

report to VAERS is available at https://vaers.hhs.gov or by 

calling 1-800-822-9767