Vaccine Comparison

Updated 04/13/2021

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Important Update: Johnson and Johnson Vaccine

Pausing all Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines

On Tuesday, April 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine be suspended until further study can be done regarding a rare side-effect that has emerged. CDC is convening its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) April 14, 2021 to review the relevant data. This pause in vaccination is recommended until ACIP and FDA review are completed. View the joint statement from CDC and FDA for more information.

Benton County’s response

In accordance with FDA and CDC recommendations, Benton County suspended all use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The County does not anticipate significant impacts to its planned clinics as a result of suspending use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Community Health Centers of Benton and Linn Counties suspended all use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines and will utilize Moderna at its primary care clinics and upcoming vaccination clinics.

Benton County Health Department is:

Amplifying Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Health Alert Network (HAN) alert asking vaccine providers to pause all use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Reminding vaccine providers to submit reports of adverse reactions to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), a component of national post-licensure vaccine safety monitoring.

When to seek medical care

Individuals who receive their COVID-19 vaccine should monitor their symptoms over the three weeks following their vaccination. Seek medical care if you develop any of the following:

Headache
Blurred vision
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Loss of control over movement in part of the body
Seizures
Coma

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All approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at protecting against COVID-19, and ultimately the best vaccine is the one available to you as soon as possible. While there are some differences between the three COVID-19 vaccines in use, all are equally effective at preventing the most severe outcomes of COVID-19. Please see the table below for key comparisons between each vaccine.

Vaccine Comparison
Approval
Pfizer	Moderna	Johnson & Johnson
Approved for persons 16 years and older More information about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the EUA fact sheet	Approved for persons 18 years and older More information about Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the EUA fact sheet	Approved for persons 18 years and older More information about Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the EUA fact sheet
Efficacy
Pfizer	Moderna	Johnson & Johnson
52% effective after 1st dose 95% effective after second dose Equally effective regardless of age, race, ethnicity, weight or sex	94% effective after second dose Equally effective regardless of age, race, ethnicity, weight or sex	66% effective at preventing moderate to severe COVID-19 illness at least four weeks after vaccination 85% effective at preventing severe COVID-19 illness at least four weeks after vaccination 100% effective at preventing hospitalization at least four weeks after vaccination 100% effective at preventing COVID-19 related death Equally effective regardless of age, race, ethnicity, weight or sex
Administration
Pfizer	Moderna	Johnson & Johnson
The Pfizer vaccine is a two-dose series. Patients should receive the same vaccine product for both doses The Pfizer vaccine is given 21 days apart.	The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose series. Patients should receive the same vaccine product for both doses. The Moderna vaccine is given 28 days apart.	The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single dose vaccine.
Storage
Pfizer	Moderna	Johnson & Johnson
The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at incredibly cold temperatures -- Colder than winter in Antarctica. In order to last up to the expiration date, it must be kept at temperatures between -112°F and -76°F As of February 25, 2021 the FDA announced that it is allowing undiluted frozen vials to be transported and stored at conventional temperatures commonly found in pharmaceutical freezers for a period of up to two weeks	There are two options for storing the Moderna vaccine. It can be stored in: Freezer between -25°C and -15°C (-13°F and 5°F) up to the expiration or beyond use date (BUD). Keep vaccine vials in their box, and place them in the storage unit Refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F) for up to 30 days prior to its first use. Do not refreeze	The Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be stored in a refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F before opening