India Approves Johnson & Johnson for Emergency Use

India granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) to US drug maker Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose Covid-19 vaccine, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday.

"Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose Covid-19 vaccine is given approval for Emergency Use in India," Minister of Health Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet.

Also, Mandaviya noted that the country now has 5 EUA vaccines which will further boost the nation's collective fight against COVID-19.

https://twitter.com/mansukhmandviya/status/1423915409791610886

In a statement, Johnson & Johnson asserted that this is an important step forward in accelerating the availability of their Covid-19 vaccine to help end the pandemic.

“We are pleased to announce that on August 7, 2021, the Government of India issued Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 single-dose vaccine in India, to prevent Covid-19 in inpiduals 18 years of age and older," Johnson & Johnson's India spokesperson said in a statement.

Meanwhile, four vaccines have been given Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) in the country- AstraZeneca's Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik V, and Moderna.

The vaccine also showed protection against the Delta variant and other emerging strains. Johnson & Johnson further said Biological E will be an important part of its global supply chain network. In February 2021, the US FDA authorized Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use.