(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that it has approved the emergency use authorization of Covovax vaccine developed by the US-based biotechnology company Novavax.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo said Covovax is a protein subunit type of vaccine that has an efficacy rate of 89.7%. It may be administered to individuals aged 18 years old and above.

“Bagong klase ng bakuna ito, ito po ay tinatawag na protein subunit vaccine. Isang parte po na pure part of the antigenic na parte po ng virus ang kanyang nire-replicate. Pagkatapos ito po ang ini-inject para mag-elicit po ng immune response,” said Domingo during the Laging Handa press briefing.

The brand is manufactured by Serum Institute of India, he added.

The FDA said Covovax will be given in two doses and should not be less than 21 days apart.

“Nakita po sa kanyang mga clinical trial na very mild ang mga adverse effects na reported. Maganda naman po ang safety profile niya,” he said.

[Translation: Clinical trials show that it has very mild adverse effects. It also has a good safety profile.]