Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses coming soon, says Tam

If you are still unvaccinated because of an allergy to the mRNA COVID-19 shots or have fears about that new technology, you will soon have another option.

The federal government says it has secured doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan made requests to the federal government for the vaccine last month.

The J&J vaccine — which has been dubbed the “one and done” shot because it only requires one dose — has been approved for eight months. On Friday, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said doses are set to arrive “imminently.”

“I expect that these doses will arrive in the coming days, and with distribution occurring shortly thereafter… we should expect to see some of these doses imminently.”

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Dr. Omar Khan with the University of Toronto specializes in immunoengineering and says if it helps further vaccine the population, it’s a positive development.

“J&J has been used extensively in the United States, as well. So, there’s a lot of data there and a lot of experience. Hopefully, that will give people more confidence. If they are unwilling to take one kind of vaccine, they can have another one.”

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Khan says accessibility is important, adding there are people who have valid medical exemptions to mRNA vaccines.

“We really need to provide them with an alternative, so the J&J can help fill that gap,” he said, adding the goal is for everyone to be “at the same risk level.”

“The best way to get people there is to have everyone vaccinated. That way, we can get things back to normal.”

Khan notes when you do get a COVID-19 shot, it takes time to build immunity. It can take up to a month to get maximum protection.