Janssen (J&J) becomes UK's 4th Covid jab - but what are the facts?

On 28th May 2021, the MRHA gave the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine Conditional Marketing Authorisation, making it the 4th jab to be given emergency approval in the UK.

Some key points about this one-shot jab:

• Phase 3 trials are ongoing. Participants were enrolled onto UK clinical trials between November 2020 and March 2021. Trial length is around 104 weeks: the initial study period lasts a year, followed by another year of follow-ups.

• It works like the AstraZeneca jab. It uses an adenovirus viral vector to transport the instructions to make the spike protein into the cells.

• Its purpose is to stop you getting sick. Like the other 'vaccines', it prevents COVID-19, but possibly only in around two-thirds of recipients. According to the CDC, 'The J&J/Janssen vaccine was 66.3% effective in clinical trials (efficacy) at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness.'

• It's for over-18s only - there's no data for children

• Like AZ, there have been blood clot concerns. The use of the Janssen jab was paused in the USA in April, due to blood clot concerns, but its use has now been resumed

The vaccine... is likely to be used as a booster jab for care home residents ahead of winter because it can be easily stored and transported at fridge temperatures.' - BBC

Sources, links & info (PDF)