Johnson and Johnson plan to bring the COVID-19 vaccine for teens in India. After all, the single-shot vaccine has an efficacy of 85 percent as per the results from phase three of the clinical trials. The firm applied to ask for permission to carry out vaccine trials on adolescents in India. Here’s the full scoop.
J&J single shot COVID-19 vaccine for teens
American pharma firm, Johnson and Johnson moved an application seeking the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)’s permission. Moreover, the pharma giant plans to conduct clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine in India, on adolescents between 12 and 17 years. “On August 17, 2021, we submitted an application to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to conduct a study of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in India in adolescents aged 12 – 17 years,” said the spokesperson of the company.
“To ultimately achieve herd immunity, it is imperative that COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials continue to move forward in this population, and we remain deeply committed to the critical work needed to make our COVID-19 vaccine equitably accessible for all age groups,” they added. The firm is working towards promoting global equitable access to the shot. Moreover, the needs of people under 18 are not met as of now.
India expands its vaccine basket
The single-shot Janssen vaccine earlier got the Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) through a fast-track approval from the Drug Controller General of India. “India expands its vaccine basket! Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is given approval for emergency use in India. Now India has 5 EUA vaccines. This will further boost our nation’s collective fight against covid-19,” tweeted Mansukh Mandvaiya, the Union Health Minister.
Moreover, the DCGI also permitted Bharat Biotech for conducting covaxin trials on children between the ages of 2 and 18. Similarly, Zydus Cadila also got the same approval for trials with its DNA vaccine. Hence, the government has now changed its policy for approvals with foreign manufacturers in the market.