The Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine has been officially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making it the third vaccine to be approved in the world.
The announcement came only one day after the FDA's advisory committee overwhelmingly voted to approve the vaccine.
"The authorization of this vaccine expands the availability of vaccines, the best medical prevention method for COVID-19, to help us in the fight against this pandemic, which has claimed over half a million lives in the United States," said Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock, in a statement.
The COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson will be the third to hit Americans, following vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, which have been given to 46 million people since December.
The vaccine was shown to be safe and effective in an FDA review released online on Wednesday. Johnson & Johnson has been found to be 86 percent effective in combating the disease. The vaccine was found to be 72 percent effective in reducing mild to serious illness in the United States. The number was lower in South Africa, where a dangerous version is circulating: 64 percent.
J&J COVID-19 Vaccine: Is It Safe For Children?
According to ABC News, the J&J vaccine is available for adults for the time being because vaccine manufacturers are testing whether their products are safe and successful in infants.
FDA approved J&J's COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 18 and over, CNBC said. It's not the same as complete clearance, which necessitates more detail which can take several months.
However, the New York Times said a committee of vaccination experts who support the CDC will meet on Sunday to discuss whether those demographic populations should be prioritized for the vaccine, advice that state health officials have been patiently anticipating in anticipation of the FDA's approval.
J&J COVID-19 Vaccine: Is It Available in Our Local Pharmacy?
The J&J vaccine would be administered similarly to other vaccines, with most vaccines being distributed uniformly throughout states and major cities depending on the size of the adult population in the region. However, the federal government wants to spend a substantial amount of doses on pharmacies and health centers.
The first exports, totaling 3.9 million doses, would be split between states and local governments, with 2.8 million doses going to each. However, an extra 800,000 will be directed to pharmacies, 70,000 to community centers, and 90,000 to nationally accredited health centers.
Eligibility would not alter automatically. Although there are federal requirements for how vaccines should be distributed, states must determine which categories of citizens should get them first. Emphasis is now being provided to elderly Americans who live alone, individuals with significant health risks, and critical staff such as teachers in most states.
ALSO READ: Should I Delay Second COVID-19 Vaccine Shot? Here's What Experts Say
J&J COVID-19 Vaccine: Pros and Cons of Single-Shot Jab vs. Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines
Radio.com noted ane reported drawback of Johnson & Johnson can be perplexing to many. It tends to have a lower efficacy rate in reducing mild illness than the other two vaccines.
The positive news is that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was tested at a time when particular virus strains were more widespread. Although no one wishes to suffer any symptoms if they catch the infection, the most important thing is to prevent significant complications.
The vaccine is 85 percent effective against serious illness.
Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, Johnson & Johnson's vaccine requires only one injection, does not require cooling, and can be kept in the refrigerator for three months.
The most crucial thing to note is that we are in a fight against time to save the infection from spreading further.
RELATED ARTICLE: New York COVID-19 Variant: Can Vaccinated People Fend Off This New Strain?
Check out more news and information on COVID-19 on Science Times.
