PARIS: A single-shot Covid-19 vaccine by US drugmaker Johnson and Johnson is likely to be approved for use in the European Union in early March, a French minister said on Sunday.
The vaccine was cleared for emergency use in the United States on Saturday, becoming the third available vaccine there.
The single-shot vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe Covid-19, including against newer variants, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said before giving it the green light.
French Industry Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told France 3 television that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) was also evaluating information transmitted by the US pharmaceuticals company.
An EU approval in early March would allow the vaccine to be rolled out in late March or early April, she said, adding this was “good news” because it offers protection with a single shot in contrast to other vaccines requiring two.
She said it was possible that a booster shot was needed later “but we can’t be sure yet”.
The EU hoped to receive 600 million doses of the vaccine by the end of June, she said.
France has so far vaccinated 1.5 million people.
BRITAIN VACCINATES OVER 20 MILLION
Britain announced on Sunday that it has given more than 20 million people at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, with the rapid rollout providing hope in a country with Europe’s highest death toll.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement in a video on Twitter, saying: “I’m absolutely delighted that over 20 million people have now been vaccinated.” — AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
