Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Arrives In NC Wednesday: DHHS

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina is set to receive more than 80,000 doses of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine this week, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday.

Doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive in the state Wednesday.

“A third COVID-19 vaccine means North Carolina can get more people vaccinated sooner, which will save lives and slow the spread,” DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said.

The one-dose vaccine does not require extreme cold storage, which public health officials in the state say will help increase equitable vaccine distribution throughout the state.

"Like the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines currently in use, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine protects against virus-related hospitalization and death," DHHS said in a statement. "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."

As of Feb. 25, at least 2.3 million doses of vaccine had been administered in North Carolina, according to DHHS.

SEE ALSO:

• Garth Brooks' Upcoming Charlotte Concert Rescheduled
• COVID Restrictions Ease In North Carolina: 5 Things To Know
  
• Novant Health Opens East Charlotte Vaccination Center