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Over the weekend, the FDA approved an additional COVID-19 vaccine, increasing the total available options in the US to three. Although there are slight variations among them, all three vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective, with health experts advising people to take whichever one is available to them.
What is the latest vaccine option?
The newest option is the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. This vaccine stands out as it requires only a single dose instead of two and can be stored and transported at standard refrigerator temperatures, making it significantly easier to distribute and administer.
Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which utilize mRNA technology, the J&J vaccine employs a novel approach. It delivers DNA encapsulated within a harmless adenovirus, engineered to prevent replication, rather than using RNA in a lipid nanoparticle.
This DNA fragment does not alter your genetic makeup. It remains temporarily in your system before being broken down. During this time, your cells interpret the DNA, which encodes instructions for producing the coronavirus spike protein. This protein triggers an immune response, preparing your body to fight the virus.
Although this vaccine technology is innovative, it isn’t entirely unprecedented. J&J has previously developed an Ebola vaccine using the same method, which received authorization in Europe last year.
Does it have lower effectiveness?
While the J&J vaccine showed a lower efficacy rate in trials compared to Pfizer and Moderna, this does not necessarily translate to reduced effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
In clinical trials, the J&J vaccine demonstrated an average efficacy of 66%, with 72% in the US and 57% in South Africa. In comparison, Pfizer and Moderna reported efficacy rates around 95%. However, differences in how COVID-19 cases were diagnosed across trials mean these figures aren’t directly comparable.
Crucially, the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were tested before the emergence of recent variants. The J&J vaccine, however, has shown effectiveness against the South African variant, which was prevalent during its trial there, and the Brazilian variant, present during the trial in Brazil. It’s unclear whether Moderna and Pfizer would maintain their high efficacy rates under similar conditions.
In summary, all three vaccines are highly effective
All three vaccines have proven to be highly effective in preventing severe outcomes like hospitalizations and deaths. This is the primary goal of any COVID-19 vaccine, and all three options excel in this regard. Experts recommend getting the first available vaccine to ensure protection.
This insightful article from Kaiser Health News can help guide your decision. Beyond the incomparable efficacy numbers, it highlights that the J&J vaccine tends to have milder side effects, making it a preferable choice for older or more vulnerable individuals. Additionally, its ease of administration could make it more accessible to a broader population.
Another perspective comes from an opinion piece in USA Today authored by a team of doctors and scientists. They emphasize that all vaccines are 100% effective at preventing COVID-related deaths and state: “Delaying vaccination in hopes of a more effective option is the worst strategy to reduce your risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19.”
An article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine provides a mathematical analysis: administering a less effective vaccine sooner saves more lives than waiting for a vaccine with higher efficacy numbers.
In conclusion, refusing one vaccine in favor of waiting for another does not benefit you. The faster we vaccinate more people, the sooner we achieve collective protection.
