3rd Vaccine is Approved in US

The FDA has cleared Johnson & Johnson's one dose shot. The authorization, which happened on Saturday February 27, clears the way for millions of more doses within days. However, health officials worry some may fear this vaccine as inferior to Moderna and Pfizer.

The FDA Approves Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Saturday's FDA approval came at a critical moment, as the steep decline in cases has seemingly hit a plateau and millions of Americans are on waiting lists for shots.

Johnson & Johnson has pledged to provide the US with 100 million doses by the end of June. With the combined 600 million doses from the two-shot vaccines of Pfizer and Moderna, there will be more than enough shots to cover any American adult who wants one.

How Good Is the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine?

The new vaccine has a 72% efficacy rate from their clinical trials. This is less than the roughly 95% efficacy rate found in Moderna and Pfizer. However, across all trials, the J&J vaccine showed 85% efficacy against severe forms of the virus and 100% efficacy against hospitalization and death.

Here's what Dr. Fauci said yesterday:

"Don’t get caught up, necessarily, on the number game, because it’s a really good vaccine, and what we need is as many good vaccines as possible."

"Rather than parsing the difference between 94 and 72, accept the fact that now you have three highly effective vaccines. Period."

Bottom-line from health experts is if you're offered a shot you should take it.

Are There Other Vaccine Candidates in the Pipeline?

Several more vaccine candidates are in the pipeline as well, and we'll keep as other alternatives progress.

Finally, if you want a sneak peak at our social vaccine tracker, check it out here. You can see relative progress of vaccine distribution as well as other friends who have self-reported getting a shot.