South Carolina will receive about 41,000 doses of a 3rd highly effective vaccine this week.

This will be the 1st allocation of Janssen vaccine – commonly called the Johnson & Johnson vaccine since the company owns Janssen, a Department of Health and Environmental Control representative said.

DHEC is lining up more providers to distribute the Janssen vaccine across the state, DHEC’s Laura Renwick said.

The new vaccine approved Feb. 27 by the US Food and Drug Administration:

• Has high protection against severe disease and death seen in all study sites including South Africa where the B.1.351 variant is dominant.

• Is a safe and effective vaccine that protects people from severe covid-19 illness.

• Its development was held to the same rigorous testing, trial and review standards as all other vaccines, including the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. More than 45,000 people participated in clinical trials for the Janssen vaccine.

• Is a single-dose vaccine. It doesn’t require 2 shots like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

• Is 85% effective overall in preventing severe disease and demonstrated complete protection against covid-19-related hospitalization and death as of day 28 following vaccination.

• Can be stored at least 3 months at 36°-46° F.

• Is equally effective in whites, blacks and Latinos.

• Does not contain the live virus.

You cannot get covid-19 from it.

“We believe this new vaccine will help speed up vaccination efforts across the state because it’s a singledose shot and also can be stored easily, at refrigerated temperatures, for several months,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist.

Do you have questions or comments? Please email JerryBellune@yahoo.com .