Another COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Paused After Illness

Another COVID-19 vaccine trial is now on pause after a study participant’s unexplained illness. The Associated Press reports that Johnson & Johnson is investigating if the person’s illness is related to the coronavirus vaccine. Johnson & Johnson joins AstraZeneca/Oxford as the two drugmakers to stop vaccine trials because of side effects. 

No details were released by Johnson & Johnson about the study participant’s illness or their current condition. A woman in the Astra/Zeneca trial developed severe neurological symptoms consistent with transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord.

Johnson & Johnson is testing a one-dose vaccine, while the other drugmakers working to create a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine are working on a 2-dose approach.