News

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a positive review Wednesday of a single shot COVID vaccine from Janssen/John & Johnson.

You can read the FDA report here.

The report notes the vaccine is 85% effective at preventing severe illness related to COVID-19 and 66% effective in protecting from moderate cases. The protection from severe illness was similar across all known variants of COVID-19. The report also notes it is 100% effective in clinical trials in preventing hospitalization and death.

The 100% effectiveness against hospitalization and death is of particular note since the review found the vaccine was less effective for adults older than 60 with risk factors. Additional challenges include the protection from moderate cases slipped to 57% in South Africa, where the pandemic is driven by a new variant of the disease.

The J&J vaccine is highly anticipated due to its easy storage (refrigerator temperatures), long shelf life (months), and one-dose application. The FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting will take place Friday, the next step to potential Emergency Use Authorization for the vaccine. If authorized, J&J have said they can have 2 million doses available immediately.