The World Health Organisation says the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is very effective against COVID-19, noting that studies revealed that the vaccine has an efficacy of 85.4% against critical illness and 93.1 % against hospitalisation just 28 days after inoculation.
According to the WHO, the vaccine was listed for emergency use on March 12, 2021, because studies confirmed its high level of efficacy.
WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, disclosed this at the formal handing over of two million doses of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine, donated by the European Union, on Monday at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, National Strategic Cold Store, Abuja.
Mulombo added that the vaccine is also safe and effective in people with known medical conditions associated with an increased risk of severe diseases, such as hypertension, chronic lung disease, significant cardiac disease, obesity, and diabetes.
“As the only single-dose COVID-19 vaccine approved for use to date, the vaccine may be an important tool for accessing difficult-to-reach populations, thus playing a key role in preventing infections and reducing deaths across the country.
“As I mentioned previously, vaccines are a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19. These vaccines are safe and effective and will be the game-changer: but for the foreseeable future, we must continue wearing masks, physically distance and avoid crowds,” he explained.
According to him, “we can end the acute phase of the pandemic this year, we can end COVID-19 as a global health emergency, and we can do it this year with observance of public health measures and increased vaccination coverage. They remain our best defense against another surge.
He added that the WHO was constantly analysing data as it receives them and working closely with relevant government agencies to use the data to help inform, initiate, and implement response actions, as well as new policies, and strategies at national, state, and local government area levels.
He, however, pledged that the WHO would continue to support the country in reaching its targeted population with safe and effective vaccines.