Indonesian health officials have approved the COVID-19 vaccine produced by U.S.-based biotechnology company Novavax Inc., marking the Asian nation the first country worldwide to authorize the new shot. “The first authorization of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine exemplifies our commitment to equitable global access and will fill a vital need for Indonesia,” said Stanley Erck, Novavax’s chief executive. Made using protein-based technology, Novavax’s vaccine uses different technology than the mRNA products offered by BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna. The Novavax jab implements a more traditional technique and works by introducing spike protein of the virus made in moth cells and an adjuvant made from natural soapbark tree extract to the immune system. It does not contain any live or inactivated virus, and is unable to replicate or cause COVID-19, according to the company. In addition, the company also announced in a statement on Nov. 1 that the global distribution of the vaccine is likely easier because it can …