By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A formal authorization on Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine happened Saturday. Kansas U.S. Senator Dr. Roger Marshall, M.D. says if that's the vaccine available, it's worth taking.
"Absolutely," Marshall said. "Even though the other ones are incredibly effective, like 90 percent effective after two shots, which is unheard of. The flu vaccines we get every year are probably 60 or 70 percent effective and this one, the Johnson & Johnson, is probably more in line with the flu vaccine. Yes, I think, if it's available, people can get it. I won't be surprised if there's a booster shot available this fall, as well. I think we've got to take what we can get."
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine had an overall efficacy rate of 72 percent in the United States and 64 percent in South Africa. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is approved as a single dose, the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are two doses.
"We pretty well have two shots in all of the senior citizens across the country now," Marshall said. "Hospitalization is down in Kansas 70%. We've got this virus on the run. Don't let down, anybody. We need to keep our masks on, we need to keep washing our hands, social distancing, all those things. I really think that we're ramping up now. We have the infrastructure in place that we're going to win this battle. Spring is going to come after all."
A potential second dose for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is still in clinical trials.