Johnson & Johnson Janssen coronavirus disease vaccine vials (COVID-19)
Johnson & Johnson via Reuters
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan rejected an initial distribution of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 single-dose vaccine, citing sufficient supplies of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to cover the demand for eligible residents.
“Johnson and Johnson is a very good vaccine. Modern and Pfizer are the best. And I will do everything I can to ensure that Detroit city residents receive the best,” said Duggan at a news conference on Thursday.
The FDA on Saturday authorized the J&J Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, making it the third injection to be approved for distribution in the United States and the only vaccine that requires only one dose.
Data from clinical trials show that the J&J vaccine is 66% effective overall in protecting against Covid, compared with about 95% for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Although some have raised concerns about the lower rate of effectiveness of the J&J vaccine, the J&J vaccine has been shown to prevent 100% of hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus, according to data from its clinical trials.
“All vaccines are safe and effective and I recommend that all vaccines be offered in all communities,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan’s chief medical officer, in a statement to CNBC.
“In addition, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was 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,” said Khaldun.
At a press conference on Friday, Covid senior adviser to the White House, Andy Slavitt, said Duggan’s comments about the J&J vaccine were misinterpreted.
“We have been in constant dialogue with Mayor Duggan … He is very excited about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. And I think we would reiterate the message that, for all of us, the first vaccine we can get makes absolutely sense to get,” Slavitt said.
Duggan said on Thursday that the city received 29,000 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines this week.
“Each eligible Detroiter can call today, make an appointment and receive a Modern / Pfizer vaccine next week at the TCF center,” Duggan said on Friday in a statement to the Detroit City Council. “As the vaccine’s eligibility expands, Detroit will open a second website offering Johnson & Johnson vaccines. I have full confidence that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe and effective.”
Duggan said the city is making plans to distribute the J&J vaccine as a “key piece” when expanding vaccine centers.
“The day may come in March or April when all Moderna and Pfizer (injected) are committed and we still have people who need a vaccine, and at that point we are going to set up a Johnson and Johnson center. I don’t see that in the next few weeks,” said Duggans on Thursday.