Covid-19
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine: how it works
THE DOSE
By Ava Mainieri, PhD
Senior Director of Research, She/her
With so much information and misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines, we, at Tia, want to help our community understand to help you understand *wtf* is really going on. We’re doing exactly that with regular drops of THE DOSE, your science-backed guide to all things Covid-19 vaccines.
THE DOSE is brought to you by geneticist and evolutionary biologist, Dr. Ava Mainieri, Head of Research at Tia, and infectious disease expert, Dr. Kathleen Jordan, Senior VP of Medical Affairs at Tia.
The clock is ticking with new Covid-19 variants emerging, luckily last weekend the J&J vaccine was added to the current arsenal of vaccines combatting Covid-19 with an endorsement from the CDC and FDA. The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine may be a major booster in getting ahead.
In clinical trials the J&J vax was:
It's a single dose!
This is great because...
- People can be inconsistent about getting a second shot.
- Supplies for a second dose can be unreliable right now.
- With only one shot required, we can get more people vaccinated quicker!
It's easier to store!
This viral vector vaccine works by attaching the gene for the Covid-19 spike protein to the DNA of a vector. J&J uses
Adenoviruses typically cause cold or flu-like symptoms.
It's safe!
Viral vectors have been studied since the 1970s for gene therapy, cancer treatment, molecular biology research, and vaccines.
The Covid-19 spike protein is also engineered so that it cannot cause Covid-19.
Let's talk side-effects
J&J has reported fewer side-effects than the Pfizer & Moderna vaccines.
The main side effects include pain at the injection site and flu-like fever, fatigue, and headache.
No participant in the study experienced a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
In conclusion
The J&J vax...
Our Tia Take: As soon as you're eligible, don't delay — get vaccinated!
THE DOSE is your science-backed guide to Covid-19 vaccines, from Tia. In service of science-backed public health, share THE DOSE with a friend!