The Janssen or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is a Covid-19 vaccine that was developed by Janssen Vaccines in Leiden, Netherlands, and its Belgian parent company Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of American company Johnson & Johnson.
Neighbouring South Africa, the United States and other countries are administering the J&J vaccine to vaccinate their populations although having previously suspended it over reports of blood clots in persons who had received the vaccine.
Who can take the vaccine?
· The vaccine is safe and effective in people with known medical conditions associated with increased risk of severe disease, such as hypertension, chronic lung disease, significant cardiac disease, obesity, and diabetes.
· The J&J vaccine can be offered to people who have had COVID-19 in the past.
· This vaccine can be offered to a breastfeeding woman and discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination is not currently recommended.
Who should not take the vaccine?
· Individuals with a history of anaphylaxis to any component of the vaccine should not take it.
· Anyone with a body temperature over 38.5ºC should postpone vaccination until they no longer have a fever.
· The vaccine is not recommended for persons younger than 18 years of age pending the results of further studies in that age group.
What is the recommended dosage?
· SAGE recommends the use of Janssen Ad26.CoV2.S as one dose (0.5 ml) given intramuscularly.
· There should be a minimum interval of 14 days between the administration of this vaccine and any other vaccine against other health conditions.
What is the efficacy of the vaccine?
· 28 days after inoculation Janssen Ad26.CoV2.S was found to have an efficacy of 85.4% against severe disease and hospitalisation.
· A dose of Janssen Ad26.COV2.S was found in clinical trials to have an efficacy of 66.9% against symptomatic moderate and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
