Johnson & Johnson begins testing covid-19 vaccines on teens

New Jersey-based drugmaker Johnson & Johnson announced the start of testing its covid-19 vaccine on teenagers. In the meantime, 100 million J&J doses are pledged for the United States by late May or June.

J&J said that the first volunteers ages 16 to 17 are being enrolled in the UK and Spain. According to the plan, teens in the US, Canada and the Netherlands will be added, followed by teens in Brazil and Argentina.

The teens from different parts of the world will be added to an ongoing study of the jab in adults that began last September. Commenting on the start of testing on teens ages 16 to 17, J&J said the trial will expand to add adolescents ages 12 to 15.

The study aimed to test the safety and efficacy of both one-dose and two-dose regimens of the covid jab. In addition, the two-dose regimens being studied at intervals of one, two and three months after the first shot, Dr Mathai Mammen said.

The pharma giant also expects to initiate studies in pregnant women and children.