Johnson and Johnson Reports Success with Single-dose COVID-19 Vaccine
The American company Johnson & Johnson works toward approval for a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
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With vaccines from companies like Pfizer and Moderna already in mid-rollout, Johnson & Johnson has reported that their vaccine could receive Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by February 6th.
The vaccine comes in the form of a single-dose, meaning that recipients would not have to go back for a second shot. Both Pfizer and Moderna-made vaccines require two doses for full immunity, however, Johnson and Johnson’s protectivity rate is much lower than both of the aforementioned companies.
Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines have an immunity rate of 94-95% with two doses, while Johnson & Johnson’s shot only has a 66% immunity rate. Although the efficacy rate is significantly lower, the Johnson & Johnson-made vaccine can be stored at regular home refrigerator temperatures and will stay usable for months at a time.
Because of its comparative ease in storing and accessibility, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be exactly what the American and international vaccine rollout requires. The relatively high storage capacity and the fact that it only takes a single dose would raise availability in areas around the world that do not have access to below zero temperatures.
The vaccine is also a perfectly acceptable and safe option for people who are not high-risk. Healthy individuals would be properly protected as the 66% efficacy rate is more than sufficient for the general population.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, called the Johnson & Johnson results “really encouraging” and said that the new vaccine would be a “valuable tool” in fighting the pandemic even with a lower rate of success.
The United States has been slow in its vaccine rollout with very few high-risk patients becoming vaccinated in many areas of the country. Vaccines are also easily wasted because of the highly-specific conditions necessary to keep the vaccine from expiring.
Pharmaceutical companies are also having a hard time keeping up with the demand for millions of vaccines in the United States alone. Another manufacturing company would only make the release of new vaccines easier, as more vaccines can be dispersed.
While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may seem less attractive because of its immunity rate, its relative ease in storage and availability would allow more people to get vaccinated and stay healthy. Its success rate is also more than sufficient for the general population.
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B-Line students write articles that capture what it means to be part of the Barstow community, and record, review and analyze current events.
B-Line's origins date back to 1897, when students published "The School Paper," from Barstow's Quality Hill campus. It was published under various names in following decades, including "The Cornpatch," when Barstow moved to State Line in 1961. Today, B-Line is primarily a digital publication.
B-Line's origins date back to 1897, when students published "The School Paper," from Barstow's Quality Hill campus. It was published under various names in following decades, including "The Cornpatch," when Barstow moved to State Line in 1961. Today, B-Line is primarily a digital publication.
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Avani Lakkireddy
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