Johnson & Johnson asked U.S. regulators Thursday to clear the world맥스카지노�s first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, an easier-to-use option that could boost scarce supplies.J&J맥스카지노�s vaccine was safe and offered strong protection against moderate to severe COVID-19, according to preliminary results from a massive international study.It didn맥스카지노�t appear quite as strong as two-dose competitors made by Pfizer and Moderna -- a finding that may be more perception than reality, given differences in how each was tested.But the Food and Drug Administration is asking its independent advisers to publicly debate all the data behind the single-dose shot -- just like its competitors were put under the microscope -- before it decides whether to green light a third vaccine option in the U.S.Dr. Peter Marks, FDA맥스카지노�s vaccine chief, has cautioned against making comparisons before the evidence is all in.맥스카지노�With so much need to get this pandemic under control, I think we can맥스카지노�t ignore any tool in the tool chest,맥스카지노� he told the American Medical Association last week. 맥스카지노�We will have to do our best to try to make sure that we find the populations that benefit the most from each of these vaccines and deploy them in a very thoughtful manner.맥스카지노�What The Numbers Show?Overall, the single-dose vaccine was 66% effective at preventing moderate to severe COVID-19, according to early findings from a study of 44,000 people in the U.S., Latin America and South Africa.But it was 85% protective against the most serious symptoms 맥스카지노� and starting 28 days after their shot, researchers found no one who got the vaccine needed hospitalization or died.Weaker But Still Fights Mutating VirusThe one-dose option worked better in the U.S. 맥스카지노� 72% effective against moderate to severe COVID-19 맥스카지노� compared with 66% in Latin America and 57% in South Africa, where a more contagious mutant virus is spreading.Scientists have been looking for real-world evidence about how vaccines work as the world races to stay ahead of the rapidly mutating virus, and welcomed the news that the J&J option 맥스카지노� while weaker 맥스카지노� did still offer protection.Other OptionsIn large U.S. studies, two doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines proved 95% protective against any symptomatic COVID-19.But those studies were finished before the record virus surges of recent months and the appearance of the worrisome mutants, meaning such testing might not turn out the same if repeated today.J&J also is studying a two-dose version of its vaccine, but results won맥스카지노�t be available for several more months.The SupplyJ&J said it would have some vaccine ready to ship if the FDA allows emergency use of the shot, but it didn맥스카지노�t reveal how much. The pharmaceutical giant said it expects to supply 100 million doses to the U.S. by the end of June.It expects to file a similar application with European regulators soon.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute맥스카지노�s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.