KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine is one step closer to getting emergency use authorization, doctors are urging people not to be picky about what vaccine they get.
Johnson & Johnson's vaccine only requires one dose while Pfizer and Moderna's both require two doses. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be stored in regular refrigerators.
In clinical trials, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine appears to be 66% effective at preventing moderate to severe cases of COVID-19.
Although the Johnson & Johnson's vaccine has a lower efficacy rate, experts warn against comparing it to Pfizer and Moderna's efficacy.
The Johnson & Johnson's vaccine was put through clinical trials later on, with more variants of the coronavirus in circulation, and it was tested in South Africa while the variant in that country was the dominant strain.
Charlie Shields, president and CEO of Truman Medical Centers/University Health, said he's hoping people won't do "vaccine shopping" when they are all safe and effective.
"If you look at the efficacy rate in terms of preventing asymptomatic transmission, it (Johnson & Johnson) may not be as high as Pfizer or Moderna, but the efficacy rate of keeping you out of the hospital, keeping you well is very high," Shields said.
Donna Kennedy recently received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine after trying for weeks to get an appointment. Kennedy believes there's no reason to be picky about what kind to get.
"I personally would have taken any vaccine that was offered to me," Kennedy said.
