A single-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson (J&J) protects against Covid-19, according to an analysis by US regulators that sets the stage for a final decision on a new and easier-to-use shot to help tame the pandemic.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientists confirmed that overall the vaccine is about 66% effective at preventing moderate to severe Covid-19.
The agency also said J&J’s shot — one that could help speed vaccinations by requiring just one dose instead of two — is safe to use.
That is just one step in the FDA’s evaluation of a third vaccine option for the US.
Johnson & Johnson announced that @JanssenGlobal has submitted an application to the @US_FDA requesting Emergency Use Authorization of its investigational single-dose #COVID19 vaccine candidate. Read more: https://t.co/Yx4P5Rk16P pic.twitter.com/e9P0NaiGAB
Advertisement— Johnson & Johnson (@JNJNews) February 4, 2021
On Friday, the agency’s independent advisers will debate if the evidence is strong enough to recommend the long-anticipated shot. Armed with that advice, the FDA is expected to make a final decision within days.
The vaccination drive has been slower than hoped, hampered by logistical issues and weather delays even as the country mourns more than 500,000 virus-related deaths.
So far, about 65 million Americans have received at least one dose of vaccine made by Pfizer or Moderna, shots that require two doses several weeks apart for full protection.
Here’s a look at several actions we’ve recently taken in our ongoing response to the #COVID19 pandemic. https://t.co/ybJwYOIvVO pic.twitter.com/XPXH5iJlVt
Advertisement— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) February 23, 2021
J&J tested its single-dose option in 44,000 people in the US, Latin America and South Africa. Because different mutated versions of the virus are circulating in different countries, researchers analysed the results geographically.
J&J previously announced the vaccine worked better in the US – 72% effective against moderate to severe Covid-19, compared with 66% in Latin America and 57% in South Africa.
Still, in every country it was highly effective against the most serious symptoms, and early study results showed no deaths starting 28 days after vaccination.
