Delaware Receives 8000 Doses of the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
This article originally written by WJBR Digital Production Intern, Yusra Asif. Yusra Asif, is a senior media communications major at the University of Delaware. Asif works as the associate news editor at The Review and a broadcast news reporter at the Student Television Network at UD.
The state of Delaware has received 8000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine called Janssen on Tuesday, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The one-shot vaccine with 85% efficacy in U.S. trials is a “game changer” according to Delaware Gov. John Carney.
“This is a game changer because it allows us to vaccinate Delawareans in a way that is a lot easier than the two doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines which require a second dose scheduling 21 or 28 days after receiving the first dose,” Gov. Carney said, in a virtual press briefing on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Gov. Carney, the one-shot vaccine is a great idea and “he would be pleased to lead the way to show my fellow Delawareans that this is a good way to go.”
The new vaccine is produced differently than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. In this vaccine type, a small piece of coronavirus genetic material is placed into a weakened version of the common cold virus. When injected, it activates the immune system to create immune protection against proteins that fight the infection.
“The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 85% effective in U.S. trials in preventing moderate to severe COVID-19 disease and 72% effective in preventing symptomatic infection,” Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health, said.
Gov. Carney: Johnson & Johnson vaccine is here. Delaware has received 8,000 doses. #CovidVaccineDE pic.twitter.com/lXWEWzznQU
— DHSS (@Delaware_DHSS) March 2, 2021
Dr. Rattay also emphasized that the new vaccine, like the other two, “cannot cause coronavirus disease in people receiving the vaccine,” — a common misconception among many. She also stated that “we will not be targeting any particular demographic or group of people.”
While Delaware has received 8000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, it may be weeks before more doses are delivered.
“They have made it clear to us that we won’t be getting any more [vaccine] this month,” Gov. Carney said.
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) will be using 5000 doses of the vaccine at two locations, starting this weekend — Seaford Highschool on Saturday and the Delaware City DMV on Sunday. The remaining 3000 doses will be used to vaccinate communities across the state.
According to Tuesday’s virtual press briefing, the DPH will be sending out emails and invitation opportunities to individuals in the two areas that are already on the waitlist.
As of now, 142,000 people have received the first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and 77,000 have received the second dose. However, things look more hopeful with the arrival of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
“In terms of getting vaccines into people’s arms and to count each one of those as somebody who has been fully vaccinated can’t be overstated,” Gov. Carney said. “It will enable all of us to get more people vaccinated because it’s just one dose and it’s done.”
For more information on where to get the vaccines, please visit: de.gov/getmyvaccine
