Johnson & Johnson COVID Shot May Be Less Protective Than Others

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Johnson & Johnson's one-shot COVID-19 vaccine is just about ready to go out to the public but research is showing it is less protective than the two-shot alternatives. Gov. Phil Murphy hopes that it will be available by mid-February.

With vaccines in high demand, however, the difference in protectiveness may be overlooked to help cover shortages across the country, officials said.

Following phase 3 of the clinical trials of the single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, the company's vaccine showed it was 66 percent effective overall in preventing moderate to severe COVID-19, 28 days after vaccination, according to a press release from the company.

However, studies showed it was more effective in preventing severe disease at 85 percent in all adults 18 years and older.

The effectiveness varied based on the geographic location where the level of protection against moderate to severe COVID-19 infection was 72 percent in the United States versus 66 percent in Latin America or 57 percent in South Africa, 28 days post-vaccination.

Moderna's two-dose COVID-19 vaccine, meanwhile, is 94 percent effective against the virus and 100 percent effective against severe cases in its phase three trial.

Pfizer and BioNTech reported their coronavirus vaccine was 90 percent effective in stage 3 trials.

Murphy sought to portray the new vaccine's results as a positive development, saying it "this could be a game-changer in our ability to quickly ramp up vaccine distribution and administration" during the Friday press conference.

The governor noted vaccines provide complete protection against hospitalization and death after 28 days and complete protection against even a severe case after 49 days "and those results hold for every variant."

Murphy was very happy with the numbers noting that the new vaccine only requires one dose and does not require cold chain storage. Johnson & Johnson is hoping to distribute 100 million doses of the new vaccine by the end of June.

"These are numbers that can not be overlooked. We need every tool in our tool kit," said Murphy.

Johnson & Johnson also sought to portray the news as a positive development as New Jersey and other states have been scrambling t0 get more "shots in the arms."

"These topline results with a single-shot COVID-19 vaccine candidate represent a promising moment. The potential to significantly reduce the burden of severe disease, by providing an effective and well-tolerated vaccine with just one immunization, is a critical component of the global public health response," said Paul Stoffels, M.D., Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Scientific Officer, Johnson & Johnson.

Despite the higher effectiveness, Stoffels says "a one-shot vaccine is considered by the World Health Organization to be the best option in pandemic settings, enhancing access, distribution and compliance. Eighty-five percent efficacy in preventing severe COVID-19 disease and prevention of COVID-19-related medical interventions will potentially protect hundreds of millions of people from serious and fatal outcomes of COVID-19. It also offers the hope of helping ease the huge burden placed on healthcare systems and communities."

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