United States set to approve J&J vaccine

Washington, United States - A US panel on Friday recommended Johnson & Johnson's one-dose COVID-19 shot for emergency approval.

The United States is the world's hardest-hit country, and its emergency use authorisation - which is now expected shortly - of the J&J vaccine would follow those for the Pfizer and Moderna doses.

“We're going to use every conceivable way to expand manufacturing of the vaccine... and make even more rapid progress,” said President Joe Biden as the country tries to finally get on top of the virus that has already claimed 510,000 US lives.

J&J stressed its vaccine was proven to work with a single shot, and could be stored long-term at standard fridge temperatures, which “offers logistical and practical advantages”.

Meanwhile, South Africa on

Saturday received its second consignment of J&J vaccines, its health minister said. The country of almost 59mn people, which has seen nearly 50,000 succumb to the virus, has been widely criticised for a slow procurement of vaccines and lack of strategy.

Health minister Zweli Mkhize tweeted that the second tranche of J&J vaccines had touched down at OR Tambo International airport.

“It comes as the majority of initial doses received two weeks ago have been administered to healthcare workers,” Mkhize tweeted as the precious cargo landed in the financial capital Johannesburg.

Unlike the AstraZeneca vaccines, which South Africa first procured but later opted not to use, J&J's shots are believed to be effective against the country's 501Y.V2 variant.