A Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine was found to be safe and to generate an immune response in the first tests, promising signs as research continues.
The results published on Wednesday in The New England Journal of Medicine are from tests at an early stage. The most conclusive results about the vaccine’s effectiveness are yet to come in a phase three trial, which the company said could be available on Wednesday, in “late January”.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine would be a crucial addition to the two vaccines already authorized, as it would allow more doses to be available and requires only one injection, instead of the two needed for Pfizer and Moderna products.
The results of the first tests, released on Wednesday, found that all test participants developed neutralizing antibodies against the virus on day 57, and 90 percent had them on day 29.
The vaccine was also considered safe, with some common side effects, such as fatigue and headache.
Paul Stoeffels, the company’s scientific director, told CNBC that the results show that the vaccine gives “sustainable antibodies” and gives the company “confidence” that it will be highly effective.
Still, The New York Times reported on Tuesday that the company had encountered manufacturing hurdles and that a plan for 12 million doses by the end of February may not materialize until April.