'Gamechanger' COVID-19 Vaccine Nears U.S. Approval for Use

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Approval Process
FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Emergency Use
High Expectations with Standard Refrigeration and Single Dose Administration

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The arrival of the third COVID-19 vaccine in the United States is imminent.

The Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), an advisory body to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), unanimously recommended emergency use authorization (EUA) for Johnson & Johnson (J&J)'s COVID-19 vaccine on the 26th (local time).

If the FDA accepts the advisory committee's recommendation and grants emergency use authorization, the U.S. will secure the third vaccine available for general public inoculation following Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. U.S. media reported that since the FDA previously approved the use of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines after advisory committee recommendations, approval is expected this time as well.

The J&J vaccine is evaluated as a significant breakthrough in expanding COVID-19 vaccinations because it provides sufficient immunity with just one dose and can be stored using regular refrigeration facilities.

The U.S. government is making every effort to expand vaccinations, having vaccinated its 50 millionth person just a day earlier.