US FDA approves J&J’s single-jab vax

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Johnson and Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine that works with just one dose instead of two for emergency use, giving America its third jab to fight the pandemic that has claimed over half a million lives in the country.

President Joe Biden described the FDA's approval as an encouraging development in efforts to end the COVID-19 crisis and said this is exciting news for all US citizens.

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which works with one dose instead of two, got approval on Saturday, the third vaccine cleared in the country after emergency use authorisation (EUA) was given to two-dose shots from Pfizer and Moderna in December last year.

Unlike Pfizer's and Moderna's vaccines that require two shots within two weeks, J&J's one-dose regimen eliminates the need for patients to return for a second dose and it can be stored at refrigerator temperatures for months.

"Today, after a rigorous, open, and objective scientific review process, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorisation for a third safe and effective vaccine to help us defeat the COVID-19 pandemic - the Janssen COVID-19 (Johnson and Johnson) vaccine," Biden said.