J&J applies to WHO for emergency-use listing of Covid-19 vaccine

The J&J vaccine is administered in a single dose and can be stored at normal fridge temperatures. PHOTO: AFP

BENGALURU (REUTERS) - Johnson & Johnson said on Friday (Feb 19) it had submitted data to the World Health Organisation for emergency-use listing of its Covid-19 vaccine, which would allow for wider access of the one-dose shot.

J&J said an emergency-use listing is a prerequisite for supplying vaccines to the Covax vaccine programme, co-led by WHO, which aims to deliver doses to poor and middle-income countries.

The J&J vaccine is administered in a single dose and can be stored at normal fridge temperatures, a big selling point in countries with relatively weaker healthcare infrastructure.

The vaccine is under review by the US health regulator, and a panel of the Food and Drug Administration's experts are expected to discuss the vaccine's emergency use authorisation next week.

The vaccine is being rolled out in South Africa, for the first time outside a major clinical trial.

J&J said last month the vaccine was 66 per cent effective in preventing Covid-19 in a large late-stage global trial against multiple variants of the coronavirus. The level of protection of the vaccine varied from 72 per cent in the United States to 66 per cent in Latin America and 57 per cent in South Africa.

The company said the data delivered to WHO includes results from the late-stage trial.

J&J entered into an agreement in December in support of the Covax programme.

The company and Gavi, which also co-leads Covax, expect to enter into an advance purchase agreement that would provide up to 500 million doses of the single-dose vaccine to Covax through 2022, J&J said.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.