Johnson & Johnson single-dose Covid-19 vaccine rolls out in Catalonia

The rollout of the Johnson & Johnson single-shot Covid-19 vaccine, the fourth that has been approved for use in the EU, is underway in Catalonia.

The health department administered the first doses of the vaccine, also known as the Janssen vaccine, on Thursday.

Unlike the other three vaccines approved for use to date (Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca), the Janssen jab requires a single dose only. It can also be stored at higher temperatures, easing the logistical burden somewhat.

The vaccine is currently being given to people between 70 and 79 years old, with Catalonia having received 24,000 vials of the vaccine so far.

The EU was due to start administering the Janssen vaccine last week, but Johnson & Johnson delayed the European distribution while examining cases of rare blood clots in the United States.

Vaccine rollout

Over 90% of people living in Catalonia aged 80 or over have had their first dose of one of the Covid-19 vaccines, as have almost half of those aged 70 to 79, 49.6% according to the latest figures from the Catalan health department.

As of Friday, April 23, 1,712,503 residents have been given the first dose of the vaccine, 22.18% of the total population. Out of those, 632,164 have also been administered the second dose (8.19% of the total population).

Safety measures in tandem with vaccine

Meanwhile, a study at the University of Lleida has found that safety measures, such as social distancing, wearing facemasks and hand washing, could reduce Covid-19 infections by 19% more than vaccination alone.

"The results clearly show that if everyone adheres to the prescribed social protection measures, the likelihood of Covid-19 transmission is reduced and the resources required for monitoring and testing fall significantly," say the researchers behind the report, published in the international journal Vaccines.