France's health regulator approved Johnson & Johnson's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine for use in the country, following the green light from European Union authorities. The decision marks a significant step in France's efforts to combat the ongoing pandemic, which has seen four million cases and 90,000 deaths.
The Haute Autorite de Sante (HAS) stated that "Janssen's COVID-19 vaccine can be used in people from the age of 18... within the framework of the French vaccination strategy, including in people aged 65 and over, who may have the disease." HAS also affirmed the vaccine's effectiveness and patient acceptability.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, now the fourth available in France, received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) a day prior. The single-dose regimen offers a logistical advantage over other vaccines requiring two doses, potentially accelerating the vaccination process.
