Illinois to receive 83,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

Posted on March 2, 2021
One of the state’s COVID-19 mass vaccination sites is located in the Orr building on the Illinois State Fair Grounds. (Facebook/Illinois National Guard)

 

By WJBC Staff

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois will receive around 83,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, with the vast majority being sent to mass vaccination sites around the state.

Unlike the currently available Pfizer and Moderna doses, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one shot and can be stored at much higher temperatures. Like Pfizer and Moderna, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 100% effective in protecting recipients against death and hospitalization, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“As Dr. Fauci and many medical experts have pointed out time and again, we are so fortunate to have three effective vaccines that are proven to fully protect against death and hospitalization,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.  “The new Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be distributed for use at mass vaccination sites across the state, so that we are maximizing their capacity and getting as many eligible Illinoisans vaccinated as possible so that we can win the race against the new virus variants and end this pandemic.”

IDPH says more than 90% will be distributed to mass vaccination sites throughout the state. The remaining doses will be shipped to other providers across the state.

Illinois is averaging around 80,416 shots per day. Statewide vaccine information can be found here.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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