COVID-19 Vaccine enters Phase 3 trials
Johnson & Johnson said Wednesday that it was beginning the final stage of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate trial as the company hopes to provide safe and effective protection with a single shot.
A handful of other vaccines in the U.S. including shots made by Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc. and others in other countries are already in final-stage testing. Hopes are high that answers about at least one candidate being tested in the U.S. could come by year’s end, maybe sooner. Johnson & Johnson’s is the first vaccine candidate to reach Phase 3 requiring only one dose, which could ease the challenges of vaccine distribution.
While Johnson & Johnson plans to enroll 60,000 participants worldwide, the FDA is also preparing to announce a higher standard for emergency authorization of a coronavirus vaccine in an effort to gain public trust. Follow Spotlife Asia for latest news and updates.
The U.K. announced it will begin the world’s first human challenge trials — or purposely infecting individuals with Covid-19 early next year. The government-funded trial includes 2,000 potential volunteers, and relies on Gilead Sciences’antivir l remdesivir to manage any negative reactions. Remdesivir has been the only antiviral to-date to receive emergency use authorization against the virus in the U.S.
Even if the FDA were to allow emergency use of a vaccine by year’s end, supplies would be limited and given first to vulnerable groups such as health workers. Most Americans aren’t likely to receive a vaccine until sometime next year.
