Novavax's COVID vaccine to reach Lithuania in January

Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be delivered to Lithuania in January, Jurgita Grebenkoviene, the chancellor of the Health Ministry, said on Tuesday.

"As to the new vaccine, it should reach Lithuania in January," Grebenkoviene told BNS, adding that "we don't know the quantities yet as the detailed timetables are yet to be agreed".

She hopes that the US company's protein-based vaccine, which uses a more conventional technology than mRNA vaccines, will help persuade those hesitant about vaccination to take the jab.

The European Commission on Monday authorized Novavax's vaccine as the fifth official jab for use across the European Union.

Lithuania has ordered 633,000 doses of the vaccine. In total, the country has signed agreements to purchase seven vaccines.