Johnson & Johnson Files For Covid Vaccine Emergency Use Authorization

Topline

Johnson & Johnson took a significant step Thursday toward getting its Covid vaccine approved in the U.S., filing for emergency use authorization with the FDA, according to multiple reports, and paving the way for a third vaccine potentially being distributed within weeks.

Key Facts

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine differs from currently available vaccines in that only one shot is required for immunization, rather than two spaced out over the course of a few weeks.

If approved, it would join Pfizer and Moderna as companies distributing Covid vaccines in the United States.

The vaccine has been shown to be 66% effective in preventing moderate to severe Covid infection, which is lower than the publicized efficacy rate for the Pfizer and Moderna shots, but the vaccines also used different testing designs.

Johnson & Johnson says its vaccine provides total protection against Covid cases serious enough to require hospitalization.

The FDA has scheduled a Feb. 26 public meeting by an advisory committee to discuss the vaccine.

What To Watch For

The company said last month the plan is for a March rollout for vaccine distribution.

Crucial Quote

“From a practical standpoint, from what you want to do to keep people out of the hospital and prevent death, this is a value added,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said of the vaccine’s efficacy. 

Key Background

Thursday’s emergency use authorization filing was widely expected, falling in line with the company’s timeline for March distribution. If approved, which is also widely expected, it will be the first new Covid vaccine in the U.S. since December, when Pfizer’s vaccine was approved followed by approval shortly after for the Moderna vaccine. Numerous other vaccines remain in the trial phases of development.

Big Number

36.7 million. That’s how many individual shots of Covid vaccine have been administered in the U.S., according to a Bloomberg tracker.

Further Reading

Fauci says Johnson & Johnson vaccine helpful in COVID-19 fight despite lower efficacy (The Hill)

FDA Authorizes Pfizer And BioNTech’s Covid-19 Vaccine For Use In The United States (Forbes)

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