Health Canada has authorized the use of a fourth COVID-19 vaccine developed by Janssen (Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical subsidiary). This new vaccine uses a harmless adenovirus vector to deliver the genetic information that instructs the body to produce the surface spike protein of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), in order to trigger an immune response. The vaccine has been approved for use in people 18 years of age or older.
Health Canada approval was based on a Phase 3 placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial which involved 44,325 participants who were randomized equally to receive a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The trial demonstrated the vaccine is 66.9% effective in preventing moderate to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection beginning 2 weeks after vaccination, and 66.1% at 28 days after vaccination. A higher vaccine efficacy was found against severe/critical SARS-CoV-2 infection with 76.7% beginning 2 weeks after vaccination, and 85.4% at 28 days after vaccination. No major safety concerns were identified in the data reviewed.
The MS Society of Canada is working with global MS organizations, researchers and healthcare providers to provide more specific advice for COVID-19 vaccinations for Canadians living with MS. Individuals with MS are encouraged to speak with their neurologist and healthcare teams about the COVID-19 vaccines.
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