Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine works well and may curb virus spread

New analyses by FDA and Johnson & Johnson demonstrate that the company’s single-dose vaccine has overall efficacy of 72% against COVID-19 in the United States and 86% efficacy against severe cases of the disease. Efficacy was slightly lower in South Africa, which is in the grips of a mutated strain of the virus. Still, vaccine recipients overall are significantly less likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 and also may be less likely to spread the virus to others, according to the reports. The new product also can be stored for up to 3 months at normal refrigeration temperatures, which will facilitate distribution to pharmacies and clinics. With FDA authorization anticipated as early as Saturday, the country is on track to welcome its third COVID-19 vaccine in less than 1 year. Johnson & Johnson expects to start shipping 4 million doses right away, with one-half going to states and the rest designated to pharmacies and community health centers. The manufacturer initially promised to deliver 12 million doses to the federal government by February 28, but problems securing equipment and raw materials slowed production. The company still plans to meet its promise of 100 million doses by June 30.