Janssen / Johnson & Johnson vaccine

CaptainWales

Hello
I've read that this vaccine will only require one jab. Does anybody know if / when this may be approved by UK regulators?

Jeremy535897

30 million doses have been ordered, and it has been suggested that those difficult to get vaccinated will be selected to receive it. There were issues about it and it is not yet approved here.

CaptainWales

Do you know what those issues were? I understand it's been approved by the US and Europe already.

Jeremy535897

See https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/apr/26/what-covid-vaccines-does-uk-have-valneva

epm-84

Are you asking because you hope you can get one jab of J&J sooner than you would get both courses of Pfizer, possibly giving you the green light to travel abroad sooner? 

Don't forget the 2nd jabs for Pfizer can be done 3 weeks after the 1st. The reason for doing them 11 weeks after the 1st is so 1st doses can be rolled out quicker but once 18-30 year olds get offered a 1st jab, the 2nd jabs could be sped up.

The Pfizer jab only requires 0.3ml for each dose so only needs a small needle, which you can barely feel and it doesn't result in any noticeable bleeding, so if your scared of needles/injections it's perfectly fine to go ahead and get it as you'll notice it less than other injections you've had in the past.

CaptainWales

Thanks epm-84, that's really useful to know. I'm asking because I am really not very good with anything medical so would much rather 1 jab, but there doesn't seem to be any info online about when the regulator might make a decision whether or not to approve Janssen.

silvercar

I’m sure I read somewhere that J&J won’t be until September at least. If/ when it does get approved, you won’t be considered to have completed your vaccine course until 4 weeks after your jab compared to the 2 weeks after 2nd jab for AZ and Pfizer (and I assume Moderna).
I imagine the announcement will be late, as the government won’t want people refusing first doses of the other vaccines to hold out for J&J.

epm-84

It's been approved for use in UK today. However, supplies will only be made available until 'later this year', no specific date.

CaptainWales

Yes, I saw, good news!

Browntoa

I doubt anybody who wants a jab won't have had one before "later in the year " with the current availability . 

epm-84

Browntoa said:

I doubt anybody who wants a jab won't have had one before "later in the year " with the current availability . 

Yes it's unclear how they'll be used. There's talk of boosters for the most vulnerable in the autumn (whether a booster should be the same type of vaccine as the original is TBC), there's talk of looking at vaccinating 12-17 year olds.

The small groups of adults who may not have vaccinated and may want one:
1. Those who turn 18 after 1st July. (The government is currently using your age on 1st July to decide which group you fall in to.)
2. Those who have been on medication/treatment and couldn't get the vaccine until it was completed.
3. Those who held off due to concerns but will be willing to get one e.g. a woman who doesn't want one while she's pregnant.
4. Those who have been working/living abroad and weren't able to get vaccinated in the other country.

According to reports the Republic of Ireland are a long way behind Northern Ireland with vaccine rollout. As there's people crossing the border for essential journeys on a daily basis it might be beneficial for a cross-border vaccination programme if the politicians can come to an agreement.