The vaccine’s introduction in Europe was suspended last week due to concerns over links to blood clotting.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Tuesday said blood clots should be listed as a “very rare” side effect of the vaccine.
In the light of the ruling, Italian health authorities declared the US-made jab as “definitely safe”, in a statement.
It “should be preferentially administered to people over 60 years old” and those particularly at risk from the virus, the statement read.
The same guidelines were previously issued in Italy for the Anglo-Swedish AstraZeneca jab, which has also been linked to very rare instances of blood clotting.
Johnson & Johnson, which recorded $100 million in COVID-19 vaccine sales, said it aims to deliver 55 million doses to the EU, as contracted, by the end of June.
Italy’s coronavirus crisis commissioner said a first consignment of 184,000 Johnson & Johnson doses would be distributed across the country starting from Wednesday.
The vaccine is seen as easier to administer and transport than some of its rivals, because it requires just one dose and can be stored at warmer temperatures.
Italian authorities are eager to make use of it to accelerate the country’s sluggish vaccination campaign and catch up to its neighbouring nations.
