North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D., and Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine today at the Wake County Health Department's vaccination clinic at PNC Arena.
"I am so grateful that I was able to get a COVID vaccine, and, in particular, I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine today. I am thankful that it's a one-shot dose, so it's one and done," Cohen said. "We now have three safe and effective vaccines that are protecting us from COVID, so when it's your turn to get your vaccine, get that first vaccine that's offered to you. Any one of the three are going to be great at protecting you from COVID."
“It is important, incredibly important, that people know that vaccines work. Now, we have to do our part," said Barber. "I wanted to take it today, not just for William Barber, but I wanted to do it publicly with the Secretary to encourage and inspire others."
Photos and footage from today’s vaccination clinic are available for publication and broadcast use, and they can be downloaded here.
NCDHHS announced this week that additional frontline essential workers in Group 3 are now eligible for vaccinations in accordance with North Carolina’s updated COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan. While some counties have started, others will begin vaccinating this population over the next week.
This phase follows the federal government authorization of the distribution of Johnson & Johnson’s (Janssen) one-shot vaccine and more than 80,000 doses are arriving in the state this week.
Like the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines currently in use, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine protects against virus-related hospitalization and death. There are possible temporary reactions, such as a sore arm, fever, headache or feeling tired and achy for a day or two. All of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized were built upon decades of previous work on similar vaccines.
This increased supply will help to ensure the equitable distribution and access to COVID-19 vaccines in every community in the state. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is a single-dose shot and does not require extreme cold storage. As a result, it can be more easily shipped, stored and administered — factors that will help to increase the number of vaccination sites and make them more accessible.
Visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov for accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccines. To slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, continue to practice the 3 Ws — wear a mask, wait six feet apart and wash your hands.