Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Available: Nuvaxovid JN.1 Now Accessible for Booster & Initial Immunization
Berlin, Germany – A protein-based COVID-19 vaccine adapted to the JN.1 variant, Nuvaxovid JN.1, has been approved for individuals aged 12 and older and is available for both primary immunization and booster doses, the Center for Pandemic Vaccines and Therapeutics (ZEPAI) at the Paul Ehrlich Institute announced.The vaccine is being distributed as a pre-filled syringe – without a needle – and is immediately ready for use, with each syringe containing a 0.5 ml dose.
Doctors in Germany can begin ordering Nuvaxovid JN.1 for the week of november 17th, with orders due by November 11th at 12 p.m. Prescriptions should specify the desired quantity of “Nuvaxovid JN.1 injection dispersion in a pre-filled syringe” and list the Federal Office for Social Security (BAS) with institution code 103609999 as the cost bearer. The federal government will cover the cost of the vaccine for both publicly and privately insured patients.
Practices will need to order needles and other vaccination supplies separately through their usual pharmacy channels, as the pre-filled syringes are delivered without them.
Vaccinations administered with Nuvaxovid JN.1 will be billed using the pseudo-number 88346 with corresponding suffixes A, B, R, V, W, and X.Entitlement to vaccination for those with statutory health insurance is guided by national vaccination guidelines based on recommendations from the Standing vaccination Commission (STIKO).
STIKO currently recommends approved mRNA and protein-based vaccines - with variant adaptations aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations – for annual COVID-19 vaccination for individuals with a corresponding indication. The WHO advises that for the 2025/2026 season, vaccine manufacturers should utilize antigens from the omicron subvariants JN.1, KP.2, or LP.8.1 when updating monovalent vaccines, with vaccination ideally taking place in the autumn.
Simultaneous administration of Nuvaxovid JN.1 with inactivated influenza vaccines is permissible when an indication for both vaccinations exists. Though,a 14-day interval is recommended before and after administering RSV vaccines as a precaution,and live vaccines should be given at least 14 days before or after a COVID-19 vaccination.
A complete overview of orderable COVID-19 vaccines and associated vaccination supplies is available on the KBV website: https://www.kbv.de/praxis/patientenversorgung/praevention/covid-19-impfung.
