Matthew Daley, MD, discusses impact of Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine with The New York Times

The Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine represents a potential game changer amid continued efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Permanente immunization expert Matthew F. Daley, MD, explained how the latest COVID-19 vaccine to receive emergency use authorization can provide a significant boost to vaccinating Americans.

Dr. Daley, a pediatrician with Colorado Permanente Medical Group, points to how the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be kept at normal refrigeration temperatures for 3 months — a key attribute that helps with distribution at non-medical vaccination sites, such as stadiums.

“There are circumstances in which it is going to be a really good option or maybe the best option,” said Dr. Daley, who is also a senior investigator with the Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Research.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has a lower efficacy rate (72%) compared to the COVID vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna (about 95%), but experts believe these numbers don’t paint a complete picture because trials were conducted at different places and times. When it comes to preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death, the Johnson & Johnson shot is considered comparable to the 2 earlier vaccines.

Four million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were shipped last week as part of a first wave of distribution.

Note: Read the full article on The New York Times website.