Internal Medicine Questions Internist

Is it safe to now take Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations after taking Novavax?

I was a participant in a clinical trial for the Novavax covid vaccine. I need to do some international travel. The country I am going to will not accept my Novavax vaccine card as proof of vaccination. I am sure this will be an issue in the future if vaccine passports are required for other issues (like domestic air travel).

My last Novavax vaccination was at the end of January 2021. I am over 70, have mild diabetes type 2, and have a history of DVTs. My primary care doc is telling me to just go get a couple of Pfizer shots. When I ask why he thinks this is safe, he cannot answer. Pfizer tells me that there is no study showing what occurs when you mix Novavax with an mRNA vaccine.

Is it safe to now take Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations? If so, why?

Male | 72 years old
Complaint duration: 30 days
Medications: Many
Conditions: None

2 Answers

Will need two Pfizer shots. Well-proven data available from Pfizer.
Dear patient,

Novavax had excellent efficacy in its studies. You took it over 8 months ago. The Pfizer vaccine showed loss of effectiveness after 6 months. I don’t know about effectiveness of Novavax at that time. I would call the CDC directly as they have a hot line. I suspect that you should get Pfizer or Moderna prior to travel, considering comorbidities.

Respectfully,

Marvin A. Leder, MD FACP FACE