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Novavax applies for teen use of COVID vaccine in UK

Gaithersburg, Maryland-based Novavax has filed for approval for use of its COVID-19 vaccine in teenagers in the U.K.

The application, with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency of Great Britain, would apply to ages 12 through 17 if approved.



In February, Novavax published research supporting its vaccine as effective in teens, after Phase 3 trials involving about 2,200 adolescents across 73 sites in the U.S.

Novavax continues to submit regulatory filings worldwide for its vaccine use in adolescents. It is already approved for teens in India.

Novavax may see Food and Drug Administration approval for its vaccine’s use in adults in the U.S. in June, after an FDA advisory committee considers it and makes its recommendation.

Novavax submitted its vaccine to the FDA in December.

It is already approved or in use by several other countries in Asia and Europe.

Novavax was among first participants in the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed COVID-19 vaccine program, was awarded $1.6 billion awarded in 2020 to develop and manufacture its vaccine.

The Novavax vaccine is different from the mRNA vaccines supplied by Pfizer and Moderna. It is a traditional protein-based vaccine that can be stored at much higher refrigeration temperatures. And it has said more people hesitant to get the mRNA vaccines might be more willing to take it.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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