The Detroit mayor reportedly turned down vaccinations against Johnson & Johnson for his city, and told the feds that the shots were not as good as the Moderna and Pfizer versions, prompting a reprimand from the Dr. Anthony Fauci on Friday.
“We need to get away from this issue of comparing each other, except to say we have a highly effective group of three vaccines,” Fauci said when asked about Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s decision. reject more than 6,000 Johnson & Johnson doses this week.
“In the important area of disease prevention that leads to hospitalization and death, [the Johnson & Johnson vaccine] it’s practically 100%, “he insisted at a White House press conference.” I just got the vaccine that is the most readily available. “
His comments came after Duggan refused to receive 6,200 doses of Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot shots recently approved for the city, a Department of Health and Services public information officer told Crain’s Detroit. Michigan humans.
Doses were sent to “other health departments with lower coverage rates for those 65 and older,” the official said.
Later, Duggan seemed to double his decision Thursday, saying, “Johnson & Johnson is a very good vaccine. Modern and Pfizer are the best … And I’ll do my best to make sure Detroit city residents get The best possible “.
According to the companies, the efficacy rates of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approximately 94% after the second dose.
In contrast, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is approximately 66% effective in preventing moderate to severe COVID-19.
But at the same press conference with Fauci on Friday, Andy Slavitt, a senior White House adviser on the COVID-19 response team, suggested the Detroit mayor’s comments were misinterpreted.
“The mayor has indicated after talking to them that it was a misunderstanding. That was not the intention of those statements, “Slavitt said.
“We have maintained a constant dialogue with Mayor Duggan, who said that, in fact, that was not what he said, and / or yet it was reported,” the Biden administration adviser said. , according to the Detroit Free Press. “In fact, he really wants the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. And I think we would reiterate the message that for all of us, the first vaccine we have the opportunity to take makes absolutely sense. “