Why the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a ‘game changer’

Johnson & Johnson released its clinical data on Friday, showing that its Covid-19 vaccine was 66 per cent effective against the novel virus and 85 per cent effective against severe disease.

The company said it would now apply for emergency use authorisation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making it the third company to do so during the pandemic.

This vaccine was made in collaboration with J&J's Belgium-based vaccine division, Janssen Pharmaceutical, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Instead of requiring two doses, like both Pfizer and Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine, it only takes one shot to obtain its immune response.