The Puerto Princesa City Government is targetting to acquire Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
The company announced that the single-shot vaccine has an efficacy rate of 85% ‘in preventing severe disease across all regions studied 28 days after vaccination in adults’ over 18 years old. Johnson & Johnson also mentioned that the “Efficacy against severe disease increased over time with no cases in vaccinated participants reported after day 49”.
The single-dose vaccine was praised by the World Health Organization because it is expected to increase compliance.
“A one-shot vaccine is considered by the World Health Organization to be the best option in pandemic settings, enhancing access, distribution and compliance. Eighty-five percent efficacy in preventing severe COVID-19 disease and prevention of COVID-19-related medical interventions will potentially protect hundreds of millions of people from serious and fatal outcomes of COVID-19. It also offers the hope of helping ease the huge burden placed on healthcare systems and communities.” according to Paul Stoffels, M.D.,The Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Scientific Officer of the company.
In an interview with Dr Ricardo B. Panganiban, Chairman of the Puerto Princesa City COVID-19 Vaccination Council (PPC-COVAC), he said that the city government targets to acquire Janssen because it is a single-shot vaccine and would be reasonably cheaper in comparison to other vaccines that are available in the market.
“Sa lahat po ng mga bakuna na andiyan na ngayon mga tig dalawa lahat. Yung sinabi sa Janssen ng Johnson & Johnson, one (1) dose po yun, single-dose po yung siya. Yun nga sana yung hinihintay ko eh para isang tusukan lang. Pero mukhang mahuhuling dumating [yung Janssen vaccine] eh. Maganda po sana target-in yung Jansen kasi isang dose lang tapos mura lang siya, $10 lang mga more or less ganun.”
Moreover, Janssen Biotech, Inc. said that the vaccine’s shelf-life will depend on its storage but should be viable for two (2) years if kept in vaccine cold chains, similar to the way the company will be transporting Janssen vaccine.
“Janssen’s investigational single-dose vaccine is estimated to remain stable for two years at -4°F (-20°C), at least three months of which can be stored in most standard refrigerators at temperatures of 36°F–46°F (2°-8°C). The company will ship the vaccine using the same cold chain technologies it uses today to transport other innovative medicines.”
Meanwhile, the company is ready to export its product as soon as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves their request for Emergency Use Authorization which was submitted yesterday, February 4.
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