We are pausing Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations per recommendation from the FDA and CDC. 

Is it possible to make comparisons about the effectiveness between COVID-19 vaccines?

According to fda.gov, no. The only way to accurately compare the effectiveness of medical products, such as vaccines or drugs, is by direct comparison in head-to-head clinical trials, which did not occur for any of these vaccines. Furthermore, the clinical trials for these vaccines occurred in different geographic regions and at different points in time with the varying incidence of COVID-19.

Did the Johnson & Johnson clinical trials include members of racial or ethnic groups at greater risk from COVID-19?

Yes. Overall, 45.3% of participants in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinical trials identify as Hispanic/Latino, 19.4% Black or African American, 9.5% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3.3% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 5.6% Multiracial.

Does this vaccine protect me against new variants of COVID-19?

What we know is that the regions where the new variants are believed to originate were included in the Johnson & Johnson clinical trials. With new, more contagious variants of the virus spreading, getting vaccinated is more important now than ever. According to the CDC, these variants spread more easily and quickly than other variants. As a result, this may lead to more cases of COVID-19. This increase in the number of cases will put more strain on health care resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths.