US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has applied for authorisation for its coronavirus vaccine in the EU with a decision possible by the middle of March, Europe's drugs regulator said Tuesday. The single-shot vaccine would be the fourth jab to be approved for use across the 27-nation European Union if it gets the green light from the Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency. "EMA has received an application for conditional marketing authorisation for a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Janssen-Cilag International", J&J's European subsidiary, the watchdog said. The regulator "could issue an opinion by the middle of March 2021, provided the company's data on the vaccine's efficacy, safety and quality are sufficiently comprehensive and robust." With delays to deliveries of three already-authorised vaccines by AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, the EMA is under pressure from European capitals to speed more into service. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the news and said Brussels "will be ready to grant authorisation as soon as EMA delivers a positive scientific opinion." "More safe and effective vaccines are on their way," she added. J&J's vaccine has...