Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine proves 66% effective

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 single-shot vaccine was shown to be 66% effective in preventing moderate and severe disease in a global phase 3 trial.

That trial also showed it was 85% effective against severe diseases.

The vaccine is being called a game-changer because of the one-dose administration and the fact that it doesn’t need cold storage.

READ: January already holds record for deadliest month in Florida since the pandemic began: See the latest numbers

But it makes sense, seeing the efficacy rate, that people would be less than thrilled with the news. It may have been different if this vaccine was approved first.

Doctors are still optimistic, saying this is about getting the most people vaccinated as possible.

While the vaccine is effective, it’s not as effective as the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, which are about 95% effective.

READ: Florida launches platform to preregister for COVID-19 vaccine appointments: How to sign up

“In a pandemic setting, you do not need to have 94% or 95% efficacy to slow the virus,” Dr. Jen Ashton told ABC. “Remember, we heard Dr. Fauci and Dr. Hahn, previous commissioner of the FDA, accept a basement-level of just 50% efficacy, so these are good numbers.”

About 60,000 people were part of the Johnson & Johnson trial, many of them older than 60 years old.

In Central Florida, AdventHealth was part of the phase 3 clinical research for the one-dose vaccine.

READ: Orange County COVID vaccine portal closes after 30 minutes

Johnson & Johnson on track to request emergency use authorization in the coming weeks, and 100 million doses could be here by June.

Cox Media Group