Johnson & Johnson vaccine has promising immune response in early trial

A Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine has been shown to be safe and generating an immune response in early trials, promising signs as research continues.

The results published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine come from early stage trials. The most conclusive results on the effectiveness of the vaccine are yet to come in a phase three trial, which the company announced Wednesday that it could be available soon, “at the end of January”.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine would be a crucial addition to the two already licensed vaccines, in that it would allow for more doses and only require one injection, rather than the two required for Pfizer and Moderna.

The results of the first trials published on Wednesday revealed that all trial participants had developed neutralizing antibodies to the virus by day 57 and 90% had them by day 29.

The vaccine has also been shown to be safe, with some common side effects like fatigue and headaches.

Paul Stoeffels, chief scientific officer of the company, told CNBC that the results show the vaccine gives “lasting antibodies” and gives the company “confidence” that it will be very effective.

Still, the New York Times reported on Tuesday that the company has encountered manufacturing issues and a plan for 12 million doses by the end of February may not materialize until April.