-->

Coping with COVID: Distribution of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to reach Mo. this week

By Madison Parry

The Show-Me state expects to be delivered 50,000 doses of the recently-approved Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week. The one-shot vaccine was granted FDA emergency authorization over the weekend and is the third to receive approval in the U.S.

The third approved COVID-19 vaccine will make its way to Missouri this week, the state anticipating receiving 50,000 of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week.

Emergency authorization of the vaccine was granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the weekend. Missouri on Sunday announced approval of distribution through its authorized vaccine providers as soon as it is made available.

On Sunday, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Dr. Randall Williams, signed the standing order for Janssen Biotech, Inc. (pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson) following preliminary recommendations made today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Unlike the previous two vaccines already in wide-spread use across the U.S., the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose and does not require the same precise storage requirements.

“During these initial weeks that the Janssen vaccine is available, we will be allocating it across all current delivery channels providing vaccinations for Missourians,” Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said. “Hospitals, local public health agencies, federally-qualified health centers and mass vaccination clinics will be included in the plan to distribute the Janssen vaccine so local providers can help determine which populations could be best served with a single-dose regimen.”