US pharma conglomerate Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has moved an application to the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Org) seeking authorization to conduct a study of the COVID-19 single shot Janssen vaccine in India in adolescents aged 12 to17 years.

In a statement released on Friday, Johnson & Johnson said it had submitted its application on Tuesday, and that it is "imperative" to ensure all sections of the population, including children, are vaccinated against the Covid as quickly as possible to stop the virus.

The Statement read as follows: "To ultimately achieve herd immunity it is imperative that COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials continue to move forward in this population, and we remain deeply committed to the critical work needed to make our COVID vaccine equitably accessible for all age groups."

Studies have shown the J&K vaccine has 66 percent efficacy in preventing moderate to severe illness due to Covid and 85 percent efficacy against severe cases. J&J has already received emergency use approval, for its single-dose vaccine, which will be supplied via an agreement with Hyderabad-based Biological E. Ltd.

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