You may be wondering about taking the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This vaccine is one more tool in our toolbox. The more vaccines and options we have available, the faster everyone who can get vaccinated will have the opportunity.  

The vaccine was highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death in people who did get sick. In addition, early evidence suggests that the J&J vaccine might provide protection against asymptomatic infection, which is when a person is infected by the virus that causes COVID-19 but does not get sick.

One advantage of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is that it doesn’t have to be kept as cold as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. This makes it easier to transport and to store, which means it can be offered in more locations. This is especially important for people with limited transit options, those who may be leaving the state, as well as people who are home-bound.  

Another advantage is that the Johnson & Johnson is a “one and done” vaccination with no second dose currently required.  Getting protection with only one shot is helpful for people who may have difficulty returning for a second shot.   

So what’s the best vaccine for you? The best vaccine is the one you can get. With three vaccines shown to be safe and highly effective, people in Oregon should take the shot they can, as soon as it’s available to them.  

For more information on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/janssen.html.

This article first appeared in the March 22, 2021 issue of Oregon Coronavirus Update.