The one-shot COVID-19 vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson recently became available in the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium's network and is now in Wrangell.
Carly Allen, clinic manager with SEARHC in Wrangell, said the community has received a very limited supply of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Both this and the Moderna vaccine are currently available in Wrangell. She said SEARHC intends to begin administering the Johnson & Johnson shots next week.
"SEARHC is excited to add another tool to our COVID-19 toolbelt," SEARHC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elliot Bruhl said in a prepared statement on Monday. "SEARHC medical leaders want to remind our communities that the best COVID-19 vaccine is the first one available to you."
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is different than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, which SEARHC has been using. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 72% effective against contracting COVID-19 and 86% effective in preventing severe disease associated with the virus, SEARHC reported.
The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are in the 90% range, according to federal reports.
However, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires patients to get one shot, while the other vaccines require two doses.
There is no charge for the vaccinations.
According to SEARHC's prepared statement, availability of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be limited, and the vaccines will be administered according to sequencing guidelines which give priority to senior citizens, front-line workers and others over the general public.
SEARHC recommends that anyone 16 and older get vaccinated. Registration and appointments can be made at http://www.covid19.searhc.org.
As of March 25, according to the SEARHC website, 997 people in Wrangell have gotten their first dose of a vaccine. Of those, 863 have gotten both shots and are fully vaccinated.
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