Kuwait Ministry of Health has authorized the emergency use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine against COVID-19.

The authorization was issued after thorough review of relevant scientific data and reports and after conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the vaccine's safety, efficacy and quality, Assistant Undersecretary for drug and control Dr. Abdullah Al-Bader said in statement Tuesday.

He told KUNA that the ministry technical committee also reviewed the results of vaccine clinical trials, particularly those relates to the effectiveness and safety aspects of vaccine.

Al-Bader emphasized that the ministry will closely monitor the vaccine safety after using it and will take all necessary measures to ensure safety of people.

Earlier this week, Kuwait has contracted with US pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Johnson & Johnson to supply it with their coronavirus vaccines.

In an interview with the Kuwait TV, Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Bassel Al-Sabah expected the delivery of Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines in the last quarter of this year.