Janssen Jcovden (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine

All COVID-19 vaccines authorized in Canada are proven safe, effective and of high quality.

On this page

• Who the vaccine is approved for
• Effectiveness
• Dosage
• Vaccine ingredients
• Possible side effects
• Vaccine review, approval and monitoring
• Get vaccinated

Who the vaccine is approved for

The vaccine is approved for people who are 18 years of age and older. Its safety and effectiveness in people younger than 18 years of age have not yet been established.

Effectiveness

Clinical trials showed that beginning 2 weeks after the single dose, the Janssen Jcovden^® COVID-19 vaccine was 66% effective in protecting trial participants against COVID-19.

Dosage

This vaccine requires a single dose.

A booster dose of the Janssen Jcovden^® COVID-19 vaccine may be given to individuals 18 years of age and older at least 2 months after completing their primary vaccine series.

Some people may have a contraindication (for example, an allergy) to an mRNA vaccine or the Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine, or any of their components. For these cases only, NACI recommends that they may be offered viral vector COVID-19 vaccines, including the Janssen Jcovden^® COVID-19 vaccine, as a booster dose.

Vaccine ingredients

Medicinal ingredient

• adenovirus vector vaccine

Other ingredients

• 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HBCD)
• citric acid monohydrate
• ethanol
• hydrochloric acid
• polysorbate 80
• sodium chloride
• sodium hydroxide
• trisodium citrate dihydrate
• water for injection

Possible side effects

After getting vaccinated, it's common to have temporary side effects. These can last a few hours to a few days after vaccination.

This is the body's natural response, as it's working hard to build protection against the disease.

Common vaccine side effects may include:

Symptoms at the injection site, such as:	More general symptoms, such as:
redness soreness swelling	chills fatigue joint pain headache mild fever muscle aches

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is also rare. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

• hives (bumps on the skin that are often very itchy)
• swelling of the lips, face, tongue or airway
• difficulty breathing
• increased heart rate
• loss of consciousness
• sudden low blood pressure
• abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea

Call emergency services if you develop or witness any serious symptoms that could be an allergic reaction after vaccination.

Talk to your doctor about any serious allergies or health conditions you may have before you get a vaccine.

This vaccine does not contain common food allergens, such as eggs, shellfish, gluten or nuts.

Rare vaccine side effects

Some rare reactions that have been reported and confirmed after taking a viral vector vaccine are:

• Blood clots with low levels of blood platelets
• Capillary leak syndrome
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)

Talk to your health care provider about which vaccine is recommended for you. They will take into consideration your risk of:

• exposure to COVID-19
• more severe disease or outcomes if you get COVID-19

Reporting a possible side effect or serious reaction

Contact your health care provider if you experience:

• a side effect following vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine
• any persistent, new or worsening symptoms

Health care providers must report possible reactions following vaccination to their local public health authority. The public health authority then reports them to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Reported allergic reactions and side effects to COVID-19 vaccines are published weekly in our Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination report.

Vaccine review, approval and monitoring

Health Canada's independent drug review and approval process is recognized around the world for its high standards and rigor. Our decisions are based only on scientific and medical evidence showing that vaccines are safe and effective. The benefits must also outweigh any risks.

The Janssen COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for use in Canada under the Interim Order respecting the importation, sale and advertising of drugs for use in relation to COVID-19. On November 23, 2021, Janssen Jcovden^® COVID-19 vaccine transitioned to an authorization under the Food and Drug Regulations.

Find detailed technical information such as the product monograph and the regulatory decision summary:

• Janssen Jcovden^® (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine regulatory information

As COVID-19 vaccines are administered across Canada, our safety monitoring is ongoing. The Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, and provincial and territorial health authorities continue to:

• monitor the use of all COVID-19 vaccines closely
• examine and assess any new safety concerns

Learn about the side effects we're currently monitoring.

Get vaccinated

How to get vaccinated near you

Related links

• COVID-19: Proof of vaccination
• Number of doses given in Canada
• Canada’s vaccine supply and donation strategy
• All drugs and vaccines approved for COVID-19
• COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth
• COVID-19: How provinces and territories make decisions about how, who and when to vaccinate
• Interim Order respecting the importation, sale and advertising of drugs for use in relation to COVID-19