However, there are concerns that because the public has heard that the shot is only 72% protective in the US, and the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines are about 95% protective, some will think that it is a ‘second class’ vaccine is. Experts believe that the numbers are extremely misleading – and urge people to take the photo that is first available to them.
According to Jason Mahon, communications director for the Florida Emergency Management Division, Florida can now select four FEMA-supported vaccination sites – in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami – to choose between J&J and Pfizer.
“Giving them the choice was important,” Mahon told CNN.
Those who were considered at the vaccination site at Miami-Dade College on Wednesday considered their options before deciding which shot they wanted to give.
Lolita White told CNN that she is ‘afraid of needles’ and therefore “can only do it once”.
“It was liberating,” she says of the vaccination of J&J. “But it was very scary at the same time, because … I’m definitely scared of needles. The people there were very supportive. The man who gave me the chance … said you should not be scared.”
Despite J & J’s lower efficiency, White said she was comfortable learning that J & J’s research included protection against the new variants of the Covid-19 virus.
Guillermo Muñoz said he trusts all the vaccines are effective – but he also prefers to get the J&J vaccine because it requires one dose.
“I want to make sure I’m protected, and I want to make sure we’re protecting others,” Muñoz told CNN. “The faster we achieve herd immunity, the faster we will be able to return to a normal life than we can.”
Others said they preferred Pfizer, citing various reasons, including that it was available for longer.
“I just do not know much about it (J&J vaccine), so I would rather go with something that is known,” Rocio Mendez told CNN.
Ruth Watkins also opted for Pfizer – she said she believes so much in the company that she decided to invest in it.
“I do not choose to buy Johnson & Johnson products and have not done so for a very long time,” Watkins told CNN. “And Pfizer was just a good choice.”
Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading expert on infectious diseases, urged Americans to take one of the three “extremely effective” coronavirus vaccines available now and not delay one vaccine over another.
“We want to get as many people vaccinated as quickly and as quickly as possible.”
Patricia Gibbs, who shot the Pfizer booster on Wednesday, confirmed Fauci’s opinion.
“We should all get this chance to protect everyone,” Gibbs said.
CNN’s Pete Muntean, Greg Wallace, Maggie Fox, Chandelis Duster and Jen Christensen contributed to this report.