EU approves single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the coronavirus vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson for use in the EU. 

Johnson & Johnson vaccine receives EMA approval

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is therefore the fourth coronavirus vaccine to be approved by the EMA in less than three months. The vaccine has proven to be 67 percent effective against preventing infection with COVID-19 after only two weeks, according to the Medicines Protection Board. 

Although this efficacy is lower than the vaccines already approved by the EMA, the major difference with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is that it only requires one jab, as opposed to two. In clinical trials, the shot was shown to be 85 percent effective against serious symptoms of the virus (and therefore hospitalisation) after just one dose. 

Johnson & Johnson contracted to deliver 10,1 million doses to Germany in Q2

Like the AstraZeneca vaccine, it is also significantly easier to transport and store - and can therefore be administered by doctors in GP surgeries - as it does not need to be kept at sub-zero temperatures. 

The final decision on the conditional marketing authorisation of the vaccine now rests with the European Commission - although this step is largely considered a formality. It is likely to be waved through on Thursday. Germany already has a contract to receive 10,1 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the second quarter of 2021, and a further 26,6 million by the end of the year.