S Korea authorises use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine

South Korea has authorised the use of Novavax Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine, the food and drug safety ministry said yesterday.

South Korean vaccine developer SK Bioscience said it will produce the Novavax vaccine.

The two-dose, protein-based vaccine has secured authorisations from European Union regulators and the World Health Organization (WHO).

It has been authorised in India, Indonesia and the Philippines, where Novavax’s partner, Serum Institute of India, will supply it.

Novavax is awaiting approval in Japan, where its vaccine would be manufactured and distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical.

South Korea has already authorised vaccines made by AstraZeneca Inc, Moderna Inc, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen.