This
is my fourth blog on COVID19
vaccine. In this one, I will give you more information about Janssen
COVID-19 vaccine.
The
Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (Ad26.COV2.S) is use to prevent COVID-19. This disease
is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).The
vaccine is approved for people who are 18 years of age and older. Its safety
and effectiveness in people younger than 18 years of age have not yet been
establish. Health Canada authorized this vaccine with conditions on March 5,
2021, under the interim order respecting the importation, sale and advertising
of drugs for use in relation to COVID-19.
Ingredients
Medicinal
ingredient
adenovirus
vector vaccine
Non-medicinal ingredients
2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin
(HBCD)
citric
acid monohydrate
ethanol
hydrochloric
acid
polysorbate-80
sodium
chloride
sodium
hydroxide
trisodium
citrate dehydrate
water
for injection
How it works
Viral
vector-based vaccines use a harmless virus, such as an adenovirus, as a
delivery system. This “vector” virus is not the virus that causes COVID-19.
Adenoviruses are among the viruses that can cause the common cold. There are
many different types of adenoviruses, and many have been used as delivery
systems for other vector-based vaccines for decades.
When
a person is given the vaccine, the vector virus contained within the vaccine
produces the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which is found on the surface of the
virus that causes COVID-19. This rotein will not make you sick. It does its job
and goes away.
Through
this process, the body is able to build a strong immune response against the
spike protein without exposing you to the virus that causes COVID-19.
How it’s given
A
single 0.5mL dose of the vaccine is given by injection into the muscle of the
arm.
Based
on studies in about 43,000 participants, the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine was 66%
effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 disease beginning 2 weeks after
vaccination. Immunity develops over time. You won’t develop significant
protection against COVID-19 for at least 2 weeks.
Possible side effects
In
general, the side effects observed during the clinical trials are similar to
what you might have with other vaccines. The side effects that followed vaccine
administration in clinical trials were mild or moderate. They included things
like pain at the site of injection, body chills, feeling tired and feeling
feverish.
These
are common side effects of vaccines and do not pose a risk to health.
As
with all vaccines, there’s a chance that there will be a serious side effect,
but these are rare. A serious side effect might be something like an allergic
reaction. Speak with your health professional about any serious allergies or
other health conditions you may have before you receive this vaccine.
Health
Canada has conducted a rigorous scientific review of the available medical
evidence to assess the safety of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. No major safety
concerns have been identified in the data that we reviewed
