The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday issued permission for emergency use to Johnson & Johnson to distribute its single-dose coronavirus vaccine. According to data reviewed by the agency, the giant of the pharmaceutical and consumer goods giant was 66 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 infections in clinical trials against the virus, although less effective against the South African variant. It was also 85 percent effective in bypassing serious infections and providing “complete protection” against the death of hospitalization due to COVID-19. While the pharmaceutical business is expected to start small – with 20 million doses being sent at the end of March and 100 million by the end of June – the vaccine is seen as easier to use and store than the vaccines Pfizer and Moderna, which required two doses and had to be frozen.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, senior medical adviser to President Joe Biden, said on Saturday that Americans should not decide against taking the J&J vaccine because they consider its effectiveness to be inferior. The vaccine was still 100 percent effective in preventing death in participants in the trial they received, in contrast to the placebo group.
‘Do not necessarily get caught up in the number game, because it is a very good vaccination, and what we need is as many good vaccinations as possible. Instead of analyzing the difference between 94 and 72, accept the fact that you now have three extremely effective vaccines. Period, ”he said.
The approval of the third vaccine takes place a few days after the country killed 500,000 people. It also comes as experts warn that a recent decline in COVID cases could lead to a false sense of security and premature easing of restrictions at a time when emerging variants of the virus pose a further risk. In view of this, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is seen as an important way to strengthen defense at a critical moment. ‘This one dose regimen offers important logistical and practical benefits for mass vaccination campaigns. This can lead to the ability to achieve faster immunity for individuals as well as herds, ”says Gregory Poland, director of the Mayo Clinic vaccine research group and a paid consultant for Johnson & Johnson who submitted the vaccine to the FDA. ‘In essence, it simplifies the process. People only need to make one appointment for their complete vaccination. ”