'Single Shot Covid Vaccine Neutralizes Delta Variant, Lasts For 8 Months': Johnson & Johnson

The research conducted showed that the durability of the immune response lasted almost least eight months, the length of time evaluated to date

Johnson & Johnson vaccine vials (Getty Images)

New Jersey , US: In the latest update on the vaccination front, Johnson & Johnson on Thursday said its single-shot Covid-19 vaccine has shown promising signs of protection against the Delta variant rapidly spreading across the US and other countries. 

The findings were confirmed after a small laboratory study, according to the company report where the vaccine exhibited strong, persistent activity against the new Delta and other highly prevalent SARS-CoV-2 viral variants.

The two preprint study summaries have been submitted to bioRxiv, a non-profit preprint server for the life sciences.

What are the major findings?

The research conducted showed that the durability of the immune response lasted almost at least eight months, the length of time evaluated to date. Mathai Mammen, MD, PhD, Global Head, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson, said, "Current data for the eight months studied so far show that the single-shot Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine generates a strong neutralizing antibody response that does not wane; rather, we observe an improvement over time. In addition, we observe a persistent and particularly robust, durable cellular immune response."

Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine, produced neutralising antibody action against the Delta variant at an even higher level than what was recently observed for the Beta (B.1.351) variant in South Africa, as per the report

The vaccine from the US-maker in its ensemble trial had exhibited 85 per cent efficacy against severe/critical disease and exhibited protection against hospitalisation and death. The vaccine exhibited effectiveness across all regions studied globally, including South Africa and Brazil. These countries have shown high prevalence of rapidly emerging Beta and Zeta variants during the study period.

"Today's newly announced studies reinforce the ability of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to help protect the health of people globally," said Paul Stoffels, MD, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Scientific Officer at Johnson & Johnson.

"We believe that our vaccine offers durable protection against COVID-19 and elicits neutralizing activity against the Delta variant. This adds to the robust body of clinical data supporting our single-shot vaccine's ability to protect against multiple variants of concern," Stoffels added.

Where is the vaccine available so far?

The vaccine has been made available in many regions and countries on a not-for-profit basis during the emergency pandemic period. The vaccine was approved for emergency use authorisation (EUA) in the United States on February 27 and Conditional Marketing Authorization (CMA) by the European Commission on March 11.

(With inputs from ANI)