Canada has become the first nation worldwide to give full approval to Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose coronavirus vaccine.
The New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company on Wednesday revealed Health Canada has given the shot the full green light, according to Reuters. It was previously authorized back in March under an interim order issued by the agency.
“Today marks the first major regulatory approval for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and an important moment to recognize the dedication of everyone involved in our COVID-19 vaccine development, our partners, the regulators and clinical study participants,” Johnson & Johnson’s vice chairman of the executive committee and chief scientific officer Paul Stoffels, M.D., said in a statement.
The move comes after initial data collected during a clinical study revealed the jab was 85% effective in preventing severe disease, and, beginning 28 days after inoculation, it provides protection against hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.