New hope in Covid crisis as US approves third vaccine

WASHINGTON: The Covidbattered United States authorized Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine for emergency use Saturday, offering a glimmer of hope as Britain bids farewell to fundraising war veteran Captain Tom Moore who died of the virus earlier this month.

US President Joe Biden hailed his country’s announcement of its third available vaccine but said the nation’s battle was far from over.

“This is exciting news for all Americans, and an encouraging development in our efforts to bring an end to the crisis,” Biden said in a statement, but warned Americans “cannot let our guard down now or assume that victory is inevitable.”

The single-shot J&J vaccine is highly effective at preventing severe Covid-19, including against newer variants, the US

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said before giving it a green light.

The news comes following passage in the House of Representatives of a vast $1.9 trillion package -- including $1,400 payouts to most Americans and billions of dollars to boost vaccine delivery, help schools reopen and fund local governments -- which will now move to the Senate.

“After 12 months of death and despair, the American recovery begins tonight,” congressman Brendan Boyle told the House, just days after the US death toll surpassed 500,000.

The bill is on track to be the second largest US stimulus ever, illustrating the huge effort needed to tackle the multiple crises unleashed by a pandemic that has killed more than 2.5 million worldwide. — AFP