What's Next for C0VID-19 Vaccines and Variants?

ABSTRACT

Telma Lery Janssen EMEA therapeutic area lead for infectious diseases and vaccines at Johnson & Johnson, explains that the company's COVID-19 vaccine candidate (also known as Ad26.COV2.S, Ad26COVS1, VAC31518, JNJ-78436735, or Ad26-S.PP) is a monovalent, recombinant, inactivated/non-infective adenovirus vector (similar to a cold virus), which contains a transgene that codes for the coronavirus spike (S) protein. The vaccine technology, AdVac, is based on the development and production of adenovirus vectors (gene carriers). Adenovirus vectors (gene carriers) are genetically altered forms of an adenovirus and lack the DNA needed to replicate. Some of the main differences between a COVID-19 oral tablet vaccine from injectable COVID-19 vaccines, according to Tucker, include * Immune responses are triggered in the mucosa and the serum with a COVID-19 oral tablet vaccine (based on preclinical and clinical testing), unlike the existing vaccines that are serum-only. * Ease of distribution and vaccination with a COVID-19 oral tablet vaccine, which eliminates the need for special accommodations to transport injectable vaccines that require cold chain infrastructure as well as the need for trained professionals to administer vaccines.