Janssen today (29 January) published positive data from the phase 3 studies of its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine candidate, showing it to be 66% effective overall in preventing coronavirus in participants. The data did not report any significant safety concerns relating to the vaccine, with no serious adverse events in vaccine recipients.
The UK has secured 30 million doses of Janssen’s vaccine last summer, with deliveries expected to arrive in the second half of this year if approved for use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), who will review and analyse the relevant data to see if the vaccine meets their strict standards of safety and effectiveness.
Today’s results are for Janssen’s single-dose study. Phase 3 trials for the company’s 2-dose regimen are ongoing worldwide, including in the UK at 16 National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) sites across the country. These trials involve more than 6,000 volunteers in the UK, some of whom were recruited from the NHS Vaccines Registry.
While a single dose of a safe and effective vaccine would offer a significant advantage during a global pandemic emergency, a 2-dose schedule may have the potential to offer enhanced durability in some participants. Data from this multi-country study is expected later this year.