MARQUETTE — Michigan residents ages 18 and older now have another COVID-19 vaccine option — Novavax — to help protect them from serious illness and death due to the virus, although availability is limited, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported on Thursday.

On July 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for use among people ages 18 years and older for a two-dose primary series, MDHHS said. This was followed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation for use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in this population and endorsement by CDC.

“Having multiple types of vaccine offers more options and flexibility for people receiving COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive, in a statement. “COVID-19 vaccines remain our best defense against the virus, helping prevent serious illness and death. We continue to urge Michiganders who have not yet been vaccinated to get the vaccine as soon as possible.”

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is the first COVID-19 protein subunit vaccine recommended for use in the U.S., MDHHS said. During clinical trials, it was found to be over 90% effective in preventing serious illness from COVID-19. Adults ages 18 years and older should receive a two-dose primary series separated by three to eight weeks.

A shorter interval of three weeks between the first and second doses is recommended for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, adults ages 65 years and older, and in situations in which there is increased concern about COVID-19 community levels or an individual’s higher risk of severe disease.

Currently, a booster dose using any COVID-19 vaccine is not authorized for adults in this age group who receive a Novavax primary series, MDHHS said. A limited number of doses of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed, and not all providers are expected to carry Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.

In Michigan, about 100,000 doses are available for order by vaccine providers. To locate providers offering Novavax, visit vaccines.gov.

To date, over 6.7 million Michiganders ages 5 and up have gotten at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, MDDHS said. Eligible Michiganders are encouraged to stay up to date on vaccinations, which includes booster doses that provide extra protection, and residents of long-term care facilities where outbreaks can spread quickly and extra protection is strongly recommended.

Free tests available

The MDHHS is announcing its expanded partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation through Project Act to provide 180,000 COVID-19 tests to 36,000 households located anywhere in the state free of charge.

Previously, tests were available only in select areas.

Residents can request the tests through the end of this month. Households will receive one kit containing five tests.

“Testing remains both a critical and helpful tool in managing the spread of COVID-19, and reduces the risk of getting infected for our loved ones and neighbors,” Bagdasarian said in a statement. “We encourage residents to take advantage of these free tests as many families get ready to head back to school. We are grateful for our partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation to ensure equitable access to tools that prevent COVID-19.”

All households in Michigan can order their free COVID-19 tests through AccessCovidTests.org. Each household will receive one kit with five tests, typically within a week of ordering. Individuals without internet access can call 211 for assistance ordering tests.

This program is in addition to free at-home tests available through the federal government partnership with the U.S. Postal Service.