News

Johnson & Johnson vaccine trial investigator explains its potential impact on distribution efforts

ORLANDO, Fla. — Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is just one step away from final emergency use approval.

Dr. Patt Flynn of St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis was one of the principal investigators for the shot.

“We are all exceedingly proud and exceedingly happy as of this moment,” Dr. Flynn says.

READ: How the Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines differ

She says the Johnson & Johnson vaccine offers major advantages, the most obvious of which being that it’s one and done...allowing for a faster “full” vaccination.

“With all of these vaccines at the completion of the regiment, there’s probably another 10 to 14 days before you have effective immunity against COVID-19,” Dr. Flynn explains. “And when you have to have three to four weeks in between the first and the second dose, and then add to that an additional 10 to 14 days, you’re a little bit delayed in getting immunity to the virus.”

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine also presents a pleasing profile to public health officials because it’s easier to store and ship, making it more accessible to hard-to-reach communities.

“It’s a tremendous impact because, I think everybody watches your show every day and sees some of the logistical issues that we have.”

READ: Ongoing COVID-19 vaccine studies leading to new discoveries about the shots

And each shot into an arm is progress made towards stopping the spread of the virus.

Growing evidence suggests the vaccines do indeed slow transmission of the coronavirus.

New research shows one shot of Pfizer’s vaccine accomplishes that as well.

“Really, right now we’re in a race to vaccinate people,” Dr. Flynn says. “We’re competing with viruses that tend to change and mutate and develop variants.”

READ: Florida scientists develop new COVID-19 vaccine to protect against multiple variants

So doctors are advising people to get either of the vaccines that become available to them, because there’s no clear indication that any offers better protection than the others.

“All three of these vaccines are extremely effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID. And that’s what we started out to do, and I think that that’s what we’ve accomplished.”