Today, Irish health officials announced a major move in our vaccination rollout which is guaranteed to slow the spread of the Delta variant.
Anyone aged 18-34 who wishes to receive the one-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine, can apply to their local pharmacy for an appointment from Monday, July 5.
Since the announcement, there have been many questions circulating online around this particular jab’s efficacy against the Delta variant as well as queries around why it’s only now been authorised for younger people in Ireland.
Among the other worries is the potential for blood clots and how long it takes to be fully protected against Covid-19 as well as side effects - so here is everything you need to know before signing up for your Johnson & Johnson dose.
Delta Variant
The Delta Variant remains Ireland’s biggest threat as we head towards a potential fourth wave of the virus.
One of the sure methods of protection against this variant, is having as many people as possible vaccinated against the serious side effects of the illness.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for the pharmaceutical giant confirmed that its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine shows promise against the highly contagious variant following a laboratory study.
An analysis of blood from eight trial patients showed that immune responses elicited by the vaccine against the strain first detected in India were at a higher level than what was seen against the Beta variant.
In a statement, the company said; "We believe that our vaccine offers durable protection against COVID-19 and elicits neutralizing activity against the Delta variant.”
Age Group
Back in April, J&J decided to delay distribution in the bloc’s 27 member states, after regulators in the United States suspended use of the vaccine for all ages amid concerns around rare blood clots.
Just one week later distribution resumed for use in over 50s after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said that a warning would be added to the product indicating a possible link to rare blood clots, but that the shot’s benefits far outweighed the risks.
Following revised advice issued by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), health officials were informed that they could now begin offering the J&J option safely to people aged 18+.
Blood Clots
Similar to a number of other Covid-19 vaccine options, there have been a few cases where patients have developed blood clots as a result of their dose.
According to research, out of 8 million people treated with this vaccine in the U.S., about 16 people have developed blood clots.
Despite this, the World Health Organisation confirmed that; “SAGE has thoroughly assessed the data on quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine and has recommended its use for people aged 18 and above.
“This vaccine has also undergone review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and found to be safe for use.”
Protection against Covid
It takes 14 days for the vaccine to work, so this is when you are considered fully vaccinated.
According to the latest studies on the efficiency of this vaccine, 28 days after inoculation, the J&J dose was found to be 85.4% effective in preventing severe disease and 93.1 % against hospitalization.
A single dose was found in clinical trials to have an efficacy of 66.9% against symptomatic moderate and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Side Effects
Every single Covid-19 vaccine comes with a number of side effects, and for most people they are short-lived and relatively easy to treat with paracetamol and rest.
The HSE has outlined the most common and rare side effects associated with this jab;
More than 1 in 10 people may experience:
- feeling tired
- pain in the arm where they had the vaccine injection
- headache
- muscle pain
- nausea
More than 1 in 100 people may have:
- redness or swelling where they had the injection
- joint pain
- cough or a fever (temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above)
More than 1 in 1,000 people may have:
- back pain
- lack of energy
- muscle weakness
- pain in the limbs
- pain in the throat
- a rash
- sneezing
- sweating
- a tremor
More than 1 in 10,000 people may have a red, itchy rash.
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