NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey says she expects the state to receive doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as early as Monday.
If approved, Tennessee could receive an estimated 40,000 doses next week.
Health officials have called the Johnson & Johnson vaccine a "game-changer" because of its single-shot dosage. Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two shots. It can also be stored at normal temperatures unlike Moderna and Pfizer.
The FDA says it is slightly less effective, but showed 85-percent efficacy against severe illness, and complete protection against COVID-19 deaths 28 days after getting the shot.
Side effects vaccine include temporary fever, fatigue and headache, similar to other coronavirus vaccines.
