HCPs welcome approval of updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine

Key takeaways:

• The updated COVID-19 vaccine targets currently circulating variants.
• HCPs also expressed interest in guidance on the use of Mounjaro and the FDA’s rejection of a drug for transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis.

A recent analysis of global conversations involving almost 1,500 health care professionals on social media from Oct. 1 to 31 has revealed a predominantly positive reaction to the FDA’s approval of Novavax’s updated COVID-19 vaccine.

The new vaccine, which was officially announced on Oct. 3, is designed to better protect against currently circulating variants of the virus. It received praise from several health care professionals (HCPs) — who labeled the approval as “awesome news” — and is seen as an effective alternative option for vaccination against COVID-19.

Wasim Hanif, MBBS, MD, MRCP (UK), a professor of diabetes at University Hospital Birmingham, suggested that Novavax’s development would be more effective — and possibly present with fewer side effects — than other COVID-19 vaccines.

Enlarge   

In another development in the same month, the FDA approved Merck’s Keytruda (prembrolizumab) for adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although most HCPs analyzed did not express either a positive or negative opinion toward the approval, a small subset showcased their excitement at its promising results in the Keynote 671 trial and argued that it would provide patients with NSCLC with a valuable alternative treatment option.

Toward the end of October, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance concerning the use of Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, following its availability to the NHS. Several HCPs shared this guidance with their peers, agreeing that it would prove helpful in tackling the ongoing glucagon-like peptide 1 shortages that the NHS is facing. Other HCPs expressed their satisfaction with the approval by posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, “a new era of multi-incretins begins...”.

These findings form part of a wider study by leading digital insights consultancy Creation Healthcare and are based on the analysis of 2,088 English-language posts on X by 1,467 HCPs throughout October 2023, focusing on the approval and launch of new products.

The analysts found that fewer HCPs discussed treatment approvals compared with the previous month, with a 13% decrease in launch mentions compared with September.

Over the period, the three most shared stories from HCPs discussing product launches included:

• an FDA press release on the approval of the updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine;
• a BusinessWire article on the FDA having denied the supplemental new drug application for patisiran as a treatment for cardiomyopathy of transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis; and
• a press release from NICE that covered the approval of tirzapetide for treating type 2 diabetes.

References:

• Alnylam announces receipt of complete response letter from U.S. FDA for supplemental new drug application for patisiran for the treatment of the cardiomyopathy of ATTR amyloidosis. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231009982660/en/Alnylam-Announces-Receipt-of-Complete-Response-Letter-from-U.S.-FDA-for-Supplemental-New-Drug-Application-for-Patisiran-for-the-Treatment-of-the-Cardiomyopathy-of-ATTR-Amyloidosis. Published Oct. 9, 2023. Accessed Nov. 27, 2023.
• Antonious Z. Hazim, MD (@AHazimMD). Oct. 16, 2023. X (Twitter).
• Donna A. Paterson (@PharmacySenegal). Oct. 5, 2023. X (Twitter).
• FDA authorizes updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine formulated to better protect against currently circulating variants. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-updated-novavax-covid-19-vaccine-formulated-better-protect-against-currently. Published Oct. 3, 2023. Accessed Nov. 27, 2023.
• Hannah Beba (@HannahBeba). Oct. 25, 2023. X (Twitter).
• Michael Lin, MD, PhD (@michaelzlin). Oct. 3, 2023. X (Twitter).
• Tirzepatide for treating type 2 diabetes. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta924/resources/tirzepatide-for-treating-type-2-diabetes-pdf-82615547603653. Published Oct. 25, 2023. Accessed Nov. 27, 2023.
• Wasim Hanif (@docwas). Oct. 25, 2023. X (Twitter).
• Yanyan Lou (@DrYanyanLou). Oct. 16, 2023. X (Twitter).