A new protein based COVID-19 vaccine will be available to eligible patients through the NHS and HSCNI this spring, offering an alternative to mRNA vaccines as part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable groups from serious illness.
Sanofi has announced that its protein based COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid JN.1, will be available to eligible individuals through the NHS and Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI) as part of the UK’s Spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Under an agreement with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Sanofi will supply 600,000 doses of the vaccine for use within the programme. Nuvaxovid JN.1 will be offered alongside existing mRNA vaccines and represents the only non mRNA COVID-19 vaccine option currently available through the NHS and HSCNI.
The vaccine is a recombinant protein based formulation administered as a pre filled syringe. Research indicates that adverse reactions associated with Nuvaxovid JN.1 are generally mild to moderate in severity and typically resolve within two days.
Despite the reduced severity of COVID-19 compared with the early stages of the pandemic, the virus continues to place a burden on health services. In 2025, more than 52,000 patients in England were admitted to hospital with COVID-19, while over 4,300 deaths were recorded.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness. However, vaccination uptake in the UK has been declining. Among adults aged over 75 in England, coverage has fallen from 71.1% in 2023 to 60% in 2025. For people with weakened immune systems, uptake has declined from 41.2% to 24.5% over the same period.
Professor Sir Jonathan Van Tam, Emeritus Professor at the University of Nottingham and former UK Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said the addition of a protein based vaccine could help support vaccination efforts.
“Although COVID-19 is generally less severe than it was in 2020, it can still be serious, particularly for older people and those who are more vulnerable,” he said. “That is why the JCVI continues to recommend vaccination for older and high risk individuals. Adding a protein based COVID-19 vaccine is an important step because it is efficacious and generally well tolerated.”
Lisa Sha, General Manager for Vaccines at Sanofi UK and Ireland, said expanding vaccine options could help address declining uptake.
“COVID-19 continues to present a year round threat, and we are pleased our vaccine will be included in the upcoming Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme,” she said. “Providing a broader choice of vaccine technologies may help support immunisation efforts and protect vulnerable individuals from serious illness.”
Eligible individuals will be invited to receive a COVID-19 booster during the spring programme. The UKHSA will manage procurement, allocation and distribution, meaning availability may vary across different regions of the UK.
Sanofi became the UK marketing authorisation holder for Nuvaxovid in October 2025. The vaccine was originally developed by Novavax and was first selected by the UK Government’s Vaccine Taskforce in 2020 as part of efforts to diversify vaccine platforms.