One-shot vaccine for COVID could boost supplies, convenience

We are one step closer to a third COVID vaccine.

Pfizer and Moderna shots have been the only options for COVID vaccines, but a new option from Johnson & Johnson could provide an easier-to-use vaccine that could boost scarce supplies.

Johnson & Johnson asked U.S. regulators Thursday to clear the world’s first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.

The one-shot vaccine offers several benefits in the battle against COVID-19, but tests also show it may be less effective at protecting against coronavirus.

Let's take a look at what makes the J&J vaccine different, and how North Carolinians feel about the one-shot option.

Benefit: Strong protection

J&J’s vaccine was safe and offered strong protection against moderate to severe COVID-19, according to preliminary results from a massive international study.

Pitfall: Possibly weaker than two-dose vaccines

It didn’t appear quite as strong as two-dose competitors made by Pfizer and Moderna.

Overall, the single-dose vaccine was 66% effective at preventing moderate to severe COVID-19, according to early findings from a study of 44,000 people in the U.S., Latin America and South Africa.

In large U.S. studies, two doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines proved 95% protective against any symptomatic COVID-19.

But it was 85% protective against the most serious symptoms — and starting 28 days after their shot, researchers found no one who got the vaccine needed hospitalization or died.

But the Food and Drug Administration is asking its independent advisers to publicly debate all the data behind the single-dose shot -- just like its competitors were put under the microscope -- before it decides whether to green light a third vaccine option in the U.S. The panel will meet Feb. 26.

Dr. Peter Marks, FDA’s vaccine chief, has cautioned against making comparisons before the evidence is all in.

“With so much need to get this pandemic under control, I think we can’t ignore any tool in the tool chest,” he told the American Medical Association last week. “We will have to do our best to try to make sure that we find the populations that benefit the most from each of these vaccines and deploy them in a very thoughtful manner.”

To provide further context: The efficacy of the 2019, 2020 flu vaccine was 45%.

That’s one of the reasons why Dr. Geeta Swamy of Duke Hospital said the J&J vaccine is still pretty powerful, according to current reports.

"It’s really still pretty effective," said Swamy.

Benefit: Supplement scarce supplies

With many people struggling to get even their first dose of the COVID vaccine, an additional option on the market could help more people get protection.

J&J said it would have some vaccine ready to ship if the FDA allows emergency use of the shot, but it didn’t reveal how much. The pharmaceutical giant said it expects to supply 100 million doses to the U.S. by the end of June.

Benefit: Easier to transport

One of the biggest difference is that it doesn’t require the same intense cold storage as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. It can be stored in regular freezers making it far more accessible to North Carolinians and much easier for places like pharmacies to have it.

Benefit: More convenient

With some vaccine sites having long-lines and wait times, it can be difficult to have to go back for a second appointment.

Local woman Nona Young, who is 70 years old, got her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Duke Raleigh this Monday. She says it went well but she wishes she didn’t have to return later this month to get a second dose.

"Nobody wants to get a shot," she said, laughingly.

The one-dose J&J vaccine could be a good option, especially for people whose age or health conditions make traveling or waiting in long lines difficult.

North Carolinians weigh-in on the one-shot vaccine option

"Clearly, I would want to have the two-shot 95% effectiveness," said Michele Geraghty.

Morgan J. of Wake County, however, said because of her age and lack of underlying health conditions, she thinks she would choose the one-shot.

“I’d prefer the J&J vaccine because it’s one shot, which makes it more convenient," said Mary Hilbert of Wake County.

“I would probably go for one of the two dose vaccines because the efficacy just preventing infection seems to be a lot higher," said Carson Hurt of Wake County.

The J&J vaccine could be shipped out as early as March – but for now, it still needs FDA approval.