Johnson & Johnson announced Wednesday that Canada’s health agency has given full approval to its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 18 years and above, making it the first to fully approve the vaccine globally. Janssen Pharmaceuticals said in a statement on Wednesday that Health Canada has approved its vaccine, following a study that shows it to be 85 percent effective in preventing severe disease and protects against COVID-19 related hospitalization and death starting 28 days after the injection. This marks the “first major regulatory approval” for its vaccine, said Paul Stoffels, vice chairman of the executive committee and chief scientific officer for Johnson and Johnson. Mathai Mammen, global head for Janssen Research and Development, said he is “delighted” by Health Canada’s decision to approve the company’s vaccine. “As vaccination rates continue to climb, a vaccine that prevents severe disease and protects against COVID-related hospitalization and death will help ease the …