News J&J vaccine found to be safe, 66% effective; South Africa variant reaches US. Latest coronavirus updates. January 29, 2021January 29, 2021Elinor Aspegren, USA TODAYComments Off on J&J vaccine found to be safe, 66% effective; South Africa variant reaches US. Latest coronavirus updates. Early safety data from the first month of COVID-19 vaccination finds the shots are as safe as the studies suggested they'd be. Latest COVID-19 news.