<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001219864</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0001000694</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>NOVAVAX INC</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>000-26770</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>700 QUINCE ORCHARD ROAD</com:street1>
        <com:city>GAITHERSBURG</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>MD</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>20878</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>240-268-2000</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>YOUNG JAMES F</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Director</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>Merrill Lynch</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>1800 K ST NW</com:street1>
          <com:street2>Suite 800</com:street2>
          <com:city>Washington</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>DC</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>20006</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>10000</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>84800.00</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>160184994</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>12/24/2024</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NASDAQ</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>06/10/2023</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Stock Plan Activity</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>4600</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>06/10/2023</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>n/a</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>06/17/2022</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Stock Plan Activity</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>1400</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>06/17/2022</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>n/a</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>06/25/2021</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Stock Plan Activity</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>4000</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>06/25/2021</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>n/a</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>12/24/2024</noticeDate>
      <signature>James F Young</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
