J&J announced that a Phase 3 trial of its COVID-19 vaccine has been paused due to an unexplained illness

Johnson and Johnson (J&J) has announced that a Phase III trial of its investigational COVID-19 vaccine has been paused, following a participant in the trial who developed an unexplained illness.

Also, J&J highlighted that the participant’s illness is being reviewed by the independent safety and data monitoring board (DSMB), as well as J&J’s safety and clinical physicians.

The organisation did not provide any additional information as to the extent of the sudden reaction, noting that the vaccine trial is not currently under a clinical hold.

J&J plans to enrol sixty thousand volunteers across three continents for its Phase III trial, testing the efficacy and safety of a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, JNJ-78436735/Ad26.COV2.S, versus placebo.

In a statement, J&J stated: “We must respect this participant’s privacy. We’re also learning more about this participant’s illness and it’s important to have all the facts before we share additional information.”