Here's Why J & J's Vaccine Could Overtake Both Pfizer and Moderna

[luv2fly]

Here's Why Johnson & Johnson's Vaccine Could Overtake Both Pfizer and Moderna

David Jagielski
Aug 18, 2021 at 9:30AM

Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) COVID-19 vaccine has had some challenges this year. From production issues to some disquieting reports of blood clots possibly being linked to the vaccine, it hasn't been the success the company was likely hoping it would be at this stage. Vaccines from Pfizer (NYSE FE) and Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) have generated far more revenue for those companies and appear to be the vaccines of choice for many people.

However, the delta variant may change that, as both Moderna and Pfizer are suggesting booster shots are necessary. And the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized a third dose for people with weakened immune systems. Meanwhile, a new study has found the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to be highly effective against the delta variant, so booster shots may not be necessary for individuals who receive that vaccine. While a lack of boosters won't translate to more revenue from the vaccine, it's a development that could ultimately lead to Johnson & Johnson's vaccine rising in popularity and grabbing more market share.

*snip*

But the problem is that Johnson & Johnson's vaccine data were never a fair comparison: It only completed enrolling participants in the first phase of its vaccine trial a month later, in December 2020. By then, coronavirus had evolved and new variants of concern were emerging in the U.K., Brazil, and South Africa. In Moderna's and Pfizer's earlier trials, those variants would not have played as much of a role (if at all) in their overall efficacy rates as they did in Johnson & Johnson's trials; when looking at just the U.S., J&J's vaccine efficacy rose to 72% in preventing moderate and severe disease.

*snip*

A new study from South Africa, called Sisonke, has shown Johnson & Johnson's vaccine to be highly effective against one of the most concerning variants around right now -- delta. The trial is massive and involves 480,000 healthcare workers (Johnson & Johnson's initial phase 3 trial was relatively large and had only 45,000 participants). Although the data hasn't been peer-reviewed, the initial numbers are extremely encouraging -- showing 71% efficacy in preventing hospitalizations in delta-related cases. And in terms of preventing death, the overall efficacy rose to 96%.

More at:

https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/08/18/heres-why-johnson-johnsons-vaccine-could-overtake/

[Dream Girl]

1. Now we're on teams. When there was positive news about Moderna, some Moderna fax recepients

Started gloating. Now, it’s time for the J&J folks. I guess it’s human nature. Go Pfizer!!!

[LisaL]

7. Moderna is the most effective of the three vaccines per the available data.

It's not clear how long Moderna lasts, but from data available now, it's more effective than the other two.

[Dream Girl]

8. See what I mean?

[StarryNite]

14. Some people seem to insist on turning it into some kind of competition.

I hope all the vaccines are safe and effective. This is by no means a competition. This is life or death.

People who like to compete should go play football. LOL

[womanofthehills]

9. But ...the myocarditis stuff with kids is being reviewed now

U.S. officials reviewing possibility Moderna vaccine is linked to higher risk of uncommon side effect than previously thought. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/08/19/moderna-vaccine-myocarditis/

[LisaL]

10. Yep, seems all vaccines have some rare side effects.

Moderna has a higher dose than Pfizer. That probably makes it more durable and effective, but might also lead to more side effects in younger males.

[janterry]

2. while I'd like to believe this is true

for many reasons, not the least because I had the J&J

.......I wait patiently for this to be peer reviewed and then replicated (cripes, we should be doing that in this country - perhaps we are doing it right now?)

[luv2fly]

5. I'm also a J&Jer

And will also find more comfort when peer reviewed, that said I found this article encouraging.

[Xoan]

3. FOOL.COM

[luv2fly]

4. So what's your point?

The world awaits.

[LisaL]

6. J&J efficacy in that study was at only71% for preventing hospitalization.

Those are not exactly great numbers.

[JohnSJ]

12. 71% isn't bad, if it was the only vaccine available, but it isn't, and data from the mRNA vaccines

have demonstrated a much higher percentage in preventing hospitalizations, and serious outcomes

[Deminpenn]

22. Those are tremendous numbers

Remember at the beginning, the CDC was hoping for 50-60% for all of the vaccine candidates.

[BlueIdaho]

11. I remember saying...

“I’ll take any vaccine I can get my hands on.” During those early days when scarcity was the watchword of the day - I was happy to find ANY appointment and any vaccine for immunization.

I hope everyone’s vaccine is fully effective and if not, I hope supplemental shots become available as needed.

[honest.abe]

15. I also remember early on debating with the "vaccine shoppers"..

who were adamant about waiting to get the "perfect" vaccine based on the efficacy and side effects data available at the time. They may now regret their choice based on what we know now.

[MoonlitKnight]

13. We need to order 2 billion doses

Then ship them around the world starting in Africa. Cost should be under $20 billion.

It’s the easiest to ship and store. Is just one dose and it’s cheaper.

This can be on top of the existing orders and efforts with mRNA vaccines.

[StarryNite]

16. Good points.

And with just one shot a whole lot more people can get protected a whole lot faster. And that helps us all.

Is the J&J perfect? No. But then none of them are.

[lagomorph777]

17. Yes - the shipping question is a HUGE advantage for J&J.

And if its Delta effectiveness is superior (or even just comparable) - big win for everybody.

[StarryNite]

18. Yes the shipping and only one shot.

Because in a lot of places they will be doing good to get one shot into arms. Getting a second shot into them could really be dicey.

[wiggs]

19. "highly effective" means different things to different people and seems to me to

be intentionally vague but positive sounding

[Bad Thoughts]

20. Motley Fool articles are junk

David Jagielski writes on investing, not science. He is interested in getting you to chase the new shiny thing with your retirement dollars. The data in the article is old and disproven: note that the 42% efficacy rate for Pfizer was an anomaly from Israel that was revised.

[muriel_volestrangler]

21. 71% against hospitalization is not that good, compared to Pfizer or AstraZeneca

Experts are starting to learn more about Delta and breakthrough cases. A Public Health England analysis (in a preprint that has not yet been peer-reviewed) showed at least two vaccines to be effective against Delta. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 88% effective against symptomatic disease and 96% effective against hospitalization from Delta in the studies, while Oxford-AstraZeneca (which is not an mRNA vaccine) was 60% effective against symptomatic disease and 93% effective against hospitalization. The studies tracked participants who were fully vaccinated with both recommended doses.

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/5-things-to-know-delta-variant-covid

An article aimed at judging the investment possibilities of J&J is probably not the best place for an objective medical assessment of the vaccines' merits.