Johnson and Johnson scraps local trials for its single-shot COVID vaccine in India: Report
New Delhi: Johnson & Johnson will not be undertaking local trials for its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine in India and is looking at ways to accelerate its availability in the country, the Economic Times reported on Tuesday, citing a company spokesperson.
J&J said in April it was in talks with India's government to begin a bridging clinical study of its Janssen COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the country.
In late May, India said it would scrap local trials altogether for "well-established" vaccines manufactured in other countries.
The U.S.-based drugmaker is exploring how to accelerate the availability of its vaccine in India, the Economic Times report said.
Over 41 million COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered across India last week, with pandemic-induced restrictions being eased further.
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Experts have said widespread vaccination remains one of the best tools to avoid the kind of devastation India saw during its second wave of the pandemic.
J&J did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
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