The U.S. is set to soon have a fourth COVID-19 vaccine option after the FDA authorized Novavax's vaccine for emergency use in adults July 13.
Novavax awaits one more signature from the CDC before it can be used for public use.
"Today's authorization offers adults in the United States who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine another option that meets the FDA's rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization," FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said in a statement.
Barely two-thirds of the nation is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to CDC estimates.
The two-dose adjuvanted series — which is an ingredient typical for vaccines intended to boost immune responses — has a 90.4 percent efficacy rate in adults.
Two days before the authorization, the federal government ordered 3.2 million doses of the vaccine in anticipation of the FDA giving the OK.