A Covid vaccine which uses just one dose instead of two has been shown to be 85 per cent effective.
The new jab has been developed by Johnson & Johnson - and the UK has ordered 30million doses.Unlike all other approved jabs so far this one uses just one dose - massively speeding up the vaccination process.
It has been shown to be as effective as some double-dose vaccines.
As well as being 85 per cent effective against serious infections and death it is 66 per cent effective against more moderate infections.
Tests were carried out in multiple countries - and indicated the jab may not be as effective with the South Africa strain.
The vaccine costs $10 a dose - the same as two AstraZeneca jabs, and is stored at fridge temperature.
Paul Stoffels, vice chairman of the executive committee and chief scientific officer at Johnson & Johnson, said: “These topline results with a single-shot Covid-19 vaccine candidate represent a promising moment.
“The potential to significantly reduce the burden of severe disease, by providing an effective and well-tolerated vaccine with just one immunisation, is a critical component of the global public health response.”
The vaccine worked better in the US – 72% effective against moderate to severe Covid-19 – compared with 57% in South Africa, where it was up against an easier-to-spread mutated virus.
“Gambling on one dose was certainly worthwhile,” Dr Mathai Mammen, global research chief for J&J’s Janssen Pharmaceutical unit, told The Associated Press.
