On July 25, 2021, the Liberian government received a donation of 302,400 doses of Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) vaccine from the United States of America through the COVAX Facility — a partnership of CEP, GAVI, UNICEF, and WHO geared toward expanding the COVID- 19 vaccination in the country.
The vaccine rollout, which began on August 5, is still ongoing at 40 health care facilities across Montserrado County. Mobiles teams are also serving various targeted groups and individuals. County Health Teams across the country are also administering the vaccines.
But as you get ready to take your jab, here are some basic things you need to know about the J&J Covid-19 vaccine:
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Brief history of the J & J Vaccine: On February 27, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for a vaccine developed by the pharmaceuticals arm of J & J brand. The vaccine was authorized for individuals over the age of 18. The J & J vaccine is the third vaccine option for the fight against COVID -19. ON March 15, the vaccine became the third COVID-19 to be approved by the World Health Organization and the first single dose jab.
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EFFICACY: According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s analysis, scientists confirmed that the vaccine is 66 percent effective against moderate to severe COVID-19 at least 14 days after vaccination. And the WHO has said that the vaccine was found to have an efficacy rate of 85.4% against severe disease and 93.1% against hospitalization. A single dose of J&J Vaccine found in clinical trials has an efficacy rate of 66.9% against symptomatic moderate severe and SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Side Effects: Like all other vaccines, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has side effects. These side effects are mostly minor and they occur within a day or two after getting vaccinated. The side effects include pain, redness, and minor swelling in the arm where you took the shot; tiredness, muscle pain, fever, nausea, and chills throughout the day you take the vaccine. Medical experts have advised that you do not have to be afraid by these signs; it means your body is building protection to protect you against the virus and should go away within a few days.
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