Johnson & Johnson Janssen Coronavirus Vaccine Vials (COVID-19)
Johnson & Johnson via Reuters
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan rejected an initial allocation of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 single vaccine, citing a sufficient supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to meet the demand of eligible residents.
“Johnson and Johnson are a very good vaccine. Modern and Pfizer are the best. And I will do my best to make sure Detroit city residents get the best,” Duggan told a news conference Thursday.
On Saturday, the FDA authorized J&J’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, making it the third shot approved for distribution in the U.S. and the only vaccine that requires just one dose.
Clinical trial data show that the J&J vaccine is globally 66% effective in protection against Covid, compared with 95% of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. While some have expressed concern about the lower efficacy rate of the J&J vaccine, the J&J vaccine has been shown to prevent 100% of hospitalizations and virus-related deaths, according to its clinical trial data.
“All vaccines are safe and effective and I recommend that all vaccines be offered to all communities,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan’s chief medical officer, said in a statement to CNBC.
“In addition, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was studied over a more recent period of time with easier transmission variants, so I would not recommend comparing studies with Pfizer and Moderna directly with studies on Johnson and Johnson,” he said. Khaldun.
At a press conference on Friday, Andy Slavitt, Covid’s senior adviser to the White House, said Duggan’s comments about the J&J vaccine were misunderstood.
“We have maintained a constant dialogue with Mayor Duggan … He is very eager for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. And I think we would reiterate the message that for all of us, the first vaccine we can take makes absolutely sense,” Slavitt said. .
Duggan said Thursday that the city received 29,000 doses for the Modern and Pfizer vaccines this week.
“All eligible Detroiters can call today, make an appointment and receive the Modern / Pfizer vaccine next week at the TCF center,” Duggan said Friday in a statement to Detroit City Hall. “As vaccine eligibility expands, Detroit will open a second place where Johnson & Johnson vaccines are offered. I have full confidence that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe and effective.”
Duggan said the city was planning to distribute the J&J vaccine as a “key part” when it expands vaccination centers.
“The day may come in March or April when every Modern and Pfizer (shot) is engaged and we still have people who need a vaccine, and right now we’re going to create a Johnson and Johnson center. I don’t see that in the coming weeks, ”Duggans said Thursday.