Vials with vaccination against Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Johnson & Johnson via Reuters
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan turned down the initial award of the single-vaccine Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine, citing sufficient supplies of Pfizer and Modern vaccines to meet the demand of eligible residents. .
“Johnson and Johnson are a very good vaccine. Moderna and Pfizer are the best. And I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure Detroit city residents get the best,” Duggan told a news conference Thursday.
The FDA approved J & J’s Covid-19 emergency vaccine on Saturday, making it the third shot approved for distribution in the US and the only vaccine requiring just one dose.
Data from clinical trials show that J & J’s vaccine is 66% effective against Covid, compared to 95% for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Although some people have expressed concern about the lower efficacy rate of the J&J vaccine, the J&J vaccine has proven to prevent 100% of virus-related hospitalizations and deaths, according to its clinical trial data.
“All the vaccines are safe and effective and I recommend that all vaccines be offered in all communities,” said Dr. Michigan Medical Chief Joneigh Khaldun said in a statement to CNBC.
“The Johnson and Johnson vaccine has also been studied in a more recent period with more easily transmitted variants, so I would not recommend comparing the studies with Pfizer and Moderna directly with the studies on Johnson and Johnson,” Khaldun said.
White House senior Covid adviser Andy Slavitt said during a Friday press briefing that Duggan’s comments on the J&J vaccine were being misunderstood.
“We were in constant conversation with Mayor Duggan … He’s very keen on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. And I think we want to repeat the message that the very first vaccine we can take is absolutely sensible to take,” he said. Slavitt said.
Duggan said Thursday that the city received 29,000 doses for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines this week.
“Every eligible Detroit can call today, make an appointment and receive a vaccination against Moderna / Pfizer at the TCF Center next week,” Duggan said in a statement to Detroit City Council on Friday. “As vaccine admissions increase, Detroit will open a second site with Johnson & Johnson vaccines. I have full confidence that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe and effective.”
Duggan said the city is considering plans to distribute the J&J vaccine as an ‘important part’ as it expands its vaccination centers.
“The day may come in March or April when every Moderna and Pfizer (shot) is committed and we still have people who need a vaccine, and then we will set up a Johnson and Johnson center. I do not see it in the next a few weeks, ‘Duggans said on Thursday.