EU approves J&J Covid-19 vaccine for use in people 18 and over

Europe's main drugs regulator gave the green-light to Johnson&Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine, a move that it was hoped would help the bloc accelerate its inoculation programme.

The European Medicines Agency recommended the vaccine for use in people aged 18 and over.

J&J's vaccine has two key advantages over those of rivals, including the fact that it only requires a single dose and that it can be stored for long periods in normal refrigerators.

Brussels had bought 200.0m doses with an option to double that number.

However, there were now doubts about whether J&J would begin shipments in April, as previously announced by the European Commission.

Indeed, the drug giant had reportedly yet to provide a delivery schedule for its vaccine.