Canada approves Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine

Canada on Friday (local time) approved Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine. This is fourth such vaccine that has been cleared by Canada. The country has also brought forward deliveries of millions of Pfizer doses. Prime Ministere Justin Trudeau made a televised speech in this regard.

"To people watching at home right now who are looking forward to getting their shot - your turn is coming," he said.

He added that Pfizer had agreed to accelerate delivery of 3.5 million doses ahead of schedule by end of May. Canada has ordered more doses per capita than any other country but deliveries of vaccines to the country has been slow. With a population of almost 38 million, Canada now expects 36.5 million doses of previously approved vaccines to be delivered by the end of June.

Canada authorised Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc vaccines in December, and AstraZeneca's in February. Johnson & Johnson is a single dose vaccine and it can be stored in normal fridges.

The government of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, said on Friday it would extend the maximum period between first and second doses to four months, speeding up access to a first shot.

In addition to seniors and healthcare workers, Ontario now plans to prioritize shots for those who are unable to work from home, including teachers, and it aims to administer at least one dose of a vaccine to all adults over 60 by early June, officials said.

The J&J shot, which has been authorized for adults in Canada, was 66% effective at preventing moderate and severe disease, said Supriya Sharma, a senior health ministry official.

Canada has pre-ordered 10 million doses of the J&J vaccine, with options to order up to 28 million more. In a statement, the Brunswick, New Jersey-based company said it planned to provide the 10 million doses by the end of September.

(With agency inputs)