US Approves Johnson & Johnson's Single-Dose Vaccine Soon... Vaccinations May Start as Early as Next Week

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The United States is set to begin administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as early as next week. It will be the third vaccine available in the U.S. after Pfizer and Moderna, and the world's first single-dose vaccine.

Jeff Zients, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, said on the 24th (local time), according to major foreign media, "Depending on the approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 3 to 4 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be supplied next week."

On the same day, the FDA released a detailed analysis document on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, signaling that approval is imminent. The FDA stated, "A positive level of safety has been confirmed."

The vaccine showed severe disease prevention efficacy of 85.9% in the U.S., 81.7% in South Africa, and 87.6% in Brazil. This means that receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine significantly reduces the likelihood of hospitalization or death from COVID-19. Side effects were also mild. There were no reported cases of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can lead to death, which is a representative vaccine side effect.

The preventive efficacy was 72% in the U.S. and 64% in South Africa, where variant viruses are prevalent. Notably, the South African figure is higher than the 57% announced by Johnson & Johnson at the end of last month. Although lower than Pfizer (95%) and Moderna (94.1%), the Wall Street Journal emphasized that "Pfizer and Moderna's clinical trials were conducted before the spread of variant viruses."

The biggest feature of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is that it requires only a single dose. Unlike existing vaccines that require two doses, it provides preventive effects with just one shot. Additionally, it can be stored in a regular refrigerator, eliminating the need for ultra-cold storage facilities. For this reason, it is considered a vaccine suitable for use in developing countries and regions with weak transportation infrastructure and insufficient distribution and storage facilities.

Local media such as The New York Times (NYT) expect the FDA to approve the emergency use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on the 27th. It is explained that this decision will be made at a meeting of the FDA advisory committee composed of external experts on the 26th, one day prior.

However, even after FDA approval, the immediately available supply is limited. Richard Nettles, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Janssen, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, stated at a House hearing that about 4 million doses are prepared. This is less than half of the initially promised 10 million doses. Coordinator Zients said, "Johnson & Johnson's production schedule is delayed compared to the plan," and added, "We will strive to increase production speed and supply volume."