JJ’s single-dose vaccine gets nod, 85% efficacy

New Delhi, August 7

India on Saturday approved Johnson amp; Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine, making it the first single-dose shot to be permitted for emergency use in the country. It is the fifth vaccine to be approved in India after Serum Institute’s Covishield, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, Russia’s Sputnik V and Moderna.

Making the announcement, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said India had expanded its vaccine basket. “Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose vaccine is given approvalhellip; will further boost our nation’s collective fight against Covid-19,” he said.

Jamp;J will supply the vaccine to India through collaboration with Hyderabad-based Biological E. “We are pleased to announce that on August 7, the Government of India issued emergency use authorisation (EUA) for the Johnson amp; Johnson’s single-dose vaccine in India, to prevent Covid-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older,” a Jamp;J spokesperson said today. The company said this was an important step forward in accelerating the availability of its vaccine to help end the pandemic.

Earlier in the ‘Ensemble’ trial, the Jamp;J shot was found 85% effective against severe and critical disease and demonstrated protection against hospitalisation and death.