US pharma giant Johnson and Johnson is the fifth covid 19 vaccine in India which has received the nation’s apex drug regulator EAU approval of the single-dose Covid-19 vaccine by Janssen, a subsidiary of the making it the fifth vaccine against coronavirus to receive emergency use authorization for India’s vaccination drive.
In April The FDA recommended a pause in the vaccine’s use, as a precautionary measure following a small number of rare blood clot incidents. At the same time, Johnson & Johnson delayed the distribution of the vaccine in Europe while the EMA conducted its own review.
While it is resumed for administration While it has resumed they noted, however, that women under the age of 50 should be aware of the risk of rare blood clots.
Union health minister Mansukh Mandwiya tweeted this.“India expands its vaccine basket! J&J’s single-dose Covid-19 vaccine is given approval for emergency use in India. Now India has 5 EUA vaccines.
How does Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Work?
This vaccine form utilizes a different, harmless virus to deliver the genetic instructions for making the SARS-CoV-2 virus’ surface spike protein, which triggers the body’s immune response to produce antibodies. The vaccine does not contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus and cannot cause COVID-19.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has a 66% efficacy rate. While this is lower than the efficacy rates of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, it should be noted that the clinical trials of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine took place in different contexts — globally in regions where variants were more prevalent, and in the U.S. during a period of significant increase in COVID-19 cases.
In July J&J said the vaccine is nearly 85% effective against severe or critical disease and demonstrates protection against hospitalization and death. “The advantage of this viral vector-based vaccine is that it is a single-shot vaccine and can be stored in regular refrigerators for up to three months,” a senior government official said, adding that given its cost of about Rs 2,000 per dose, it may be mainly available in private hospitals in the coming days.
Side effects of Janssen Vaccine
According to the FDA’s vaccine fact sheet Trusted Source, possible side effects include:
- headache
- fever
- fatigue
- muscle aches
- nausea
- pain, irritation, redness, and swelling at the site of the injection
J&J has tied up with Hyderabad-based Biological E for the global supply chain network, hoping to supply its Covid-19 vaccine Janssen through extensive collaborations and partnerships with governments, health authorities and organisations such as Gavi and the Covax facility.
On 13 and 20 July 2021, the COVID-19 subcommittee of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) met virtually to discuss rare reports of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) following vaccination with the Janssen and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines. Both vaccines use an adenovirus platform as their backbone.
GBS is a rare immune system disorder that results in muscle weakness, pain or numbness, and, in more severe cases, paralysis. GBS could result from different causes, including infections, and occurs more frequently in males and persons over 50 years old. Cases may occur coincidentally following vaccination. For example, rare cases of GBS have been observed following seasonal influenza vaccines and vaccines
Covid-19 Vaccination Update in India
More than 52.40 crore (52,40,60,890) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources and a further 8,39,780 doses are in the pipeline.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 50,51,29,252 doses (as per data available at 8 AM today).
More than 2.33 Cr (2,33,55,890) balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered.
