Canada becomes first country to fully approve Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine
CBSN
Canada has granted full approval for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for adults 18 years and older, the pharmaceutical company announced Wednesday. Canada is the first country to fully authorize the Johnson & Johnson shot.
"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.
Health Canada granted the company's vaccine full authorization after initial data from a clinical study showed that it was 85% effective in preventing severe disease, and, starting 28 days after vaccination, it provides protection against hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. The data also revealed that protection against COVID-19 increases when a booster shot of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine is administered and that booster shots are safe and generally well-tolerated.
