LEXINGTON, Ky. — Doctors at the University of Kentucky (UK), Norton Healthcare, and Baptist Health Lexington have been conducting phase three clinical trials for the single dose Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
“It’s been very safe in our trial at least, there were zero cases of anaphylaxis only about 9% of folks got a fever with only a very low percentage of those getting severe fever. So it is a very very safe vaccine,” said Dr. David Dougherty, sub-investigator at Baptist Health Lexington.
Dougherty says there are many advantages to the Janssen’s COVID-19 vaccine, one being that it could help quicken the distribution process around the United States because the vaccine does not need to be stored in extremely cold temperatures and can allow for easier transportation and access.
“Your regular doctor's office could have the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Doctors offices that don't have the really cold, freezers that are required for some of the other vaccines and virtually any pharmacy in rural areas could have this vaccine too,” Dougherty said.
The data released for review showed that a single dose of the Janssen’s COVID-19 vaccine was 86% effective against severe COVID-19 illness in the United States and 82% against severe diseases in South Africa.
“An advantage goes to Janssen being a single dose because it seems to be better tolerated, seems to have some variant coverage that the others haven't really shown as well,” said Dr. Richard Greenberg, UK's principal investigator.
Dr. Greenberg said as they wait for the FDA to review the vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization, several trucks were loaded Friday morning with the shots headed towards the CDC to quickly distribute the vaccine if approval is given.
“I like to tell the people there was only one 1927 Yankees baseball. There's only one Tom Brady in football. And now, there's only one top enroller in the pandemic for the Janssen vaccine. And that was the University of Kentucky associated with Baptists and Norton. We did it. And today if the EUA is granted it will be a day and living history for all of us to remember,” Greenberg said.
Greenberg said they hope to hear from the FDA if the vaccine is approved as early as Saturday but hopefully by the end of the weekend. If the vaccine is approved, Greenberg said he would like to start pediatric trials and research.