Some more info thanks to a lurker.
J&J's role is going to be complicated
Linky
Overall, J&J's study found the shot to be 72% effective in the US, 66% effective in Latin America, and 57% effective in South Africa. J&J said 95% of the cases recorded in South Africa came from the B.1.351 variant. That raises the troubling prospect that B.1.351 and other variants could evade the vaccine, complicating a global immunization campaign.
So compared to Pfizer&Moderna it's 94-95% vs 72% against the original wildtype virus. With Pfizer around 80%, and J&J at 57% for the S Africa variant. It's a race to vaccinate as many as possible globally before more variants appear.
For the US it has been suggested our hero Johnny in the Walmart produce section along with other immortals of the 20 yr range receive the J&J as fast as it can be produced:
People in the age groups between 18 and 49 account for less than 5% of deaths in the United States. However, those same age groups are responsible for more than 50% of cases in the U.S., with 18 to 29-year-olds accounting for more than 20% on their own. Though they are often spared from deadly infection themselves, these groups spread the virus to other higher-risk populations. Vaccinating them and stopping their spreading of the virus is another essential step in establishing herd immunity in the U.S.
Then there's NVAX bringing up the rear, with its protein fragments (or vaccine content) already fixed. Some believe it will be ready for approval in the summer. But I don't see how it can come out before December.
I'm not sure how fast new vaccines to address the variants can be made. It is said the mRNAs can be altered very quickly. J&J using the well known vector approach shouldn't take long to adjust. And NVAX when it comes out should be simple to adjust, with plenty of dose running room for all kinds of protein fragments.
So do you give little Johnny J&J and call it a day. Or will he still be a dangerous carrier of the S African variant when it arrives? Or start him off with the first mRNA shot, and then later J&J? With no data to support that approach.
For those of us 65+, should we stick with the mRNAs for yearly booster shots. Or will repeated mRNA shots trigger allergic reactions to the lipids encasing the mRNA? Instead hope J&J , and NVAX producing up to date boosters for new variants are the way to go? Or will those having received the mRNAs have the side effect of an unexpected cytokine storm when receiving a J&J or NVAX vaccine just 8 months later, as in too much of a good thing? All these unknown variables.
Meanwhile the race to the finish line continues . Vaccinate as many possible before some new variant completely escapes the current vaccines.
It ought to be interesting how the various vaccines will fit together. Especially when one gets to a required yearly booster. Must think ahead! LOL
