Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is an American multinational company that develops medical devices, pharmaceutical, and consumer packaged goods. It announced its candidate vaccine had entered stage three trials on September 23, 2020. There are several Johnson & Johnson vaccine differences that appear to make it easier to administer.
The Three Main Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Differences
The J&J trials follow on those of Pfizer and Moderna, both third-trialing since late July 2020. Astra Zeneca is also part of the pack. But it is still on temporary hold in the US since a UK subject reported a spinal cord infection. However, we can’t expect any test results for at least two months, given the FDA’s decision to stop fast-tracking vaccines.
These Johnson & Johnson vaccine differences compared to the other trials make interesting reading:
1… The J&J vaccine only requires a single dose. Whereas the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two, complicating administration.
2… The J&J vaccine only requires basic refrigeration. While Pfizer’s requires storage colder than the South Pole in summer.
3… Moderna is aiming for 30,000 participants in the third trial, compared to 44,000 for Pfizer. Johnson & Johnson is targeting 60,000.
More About the Nature of the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine
However, there is nothing radically different about the J&J vaccine chemistry. That’s because it follows the same pattern it used for its Ebola vaccine. It combines genetic material for the virus causing COVID-19, with the adenovirus causing common colds. However, it tweaks them so as to be unable to cause infections.
The disarmed, tweaked adenovirus then ‘trains’ the subject’s immune system to attack and destroy the virus spike protein. It is then unable to enter one of the subject’s healthy body cells and begin the infection. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine differences merely simplify the vaccination process, and make administration easier.
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Preview Image: J&J Investigational Vaccine
