BIRMINGHAM, Ala — Many reports say the effectiveness of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is less than the two-dose shots already being used. Dr. Paul Goepfert, M.D., a University of Alabama in Birmingham professor and co-chair for J&J vaccine research, tells us it is still effective when it comes to protecting you against the virus.
"Actually the J&J vaccine has the best data to show that it actually prevents those things, especially hospitalizations and death. After 28 days of getting the one dose of the vaccine, nobody died of COVID who received the vaccine," said Goepfert.
Studies show that those receiving this vaccine can still spread the virus to others. They can also catch it themselves, but the symptoms will be far less severe.
RELATED: VERIFY: How is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine different from the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a plethora of information on how to protect yourself and other from the coronavirus.
The virus can easily spread from person to person, so the CDC recommends you stay at least 6-feet apart from people not in your household. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breaths or talks, according to the CDC. Because of this, the CDC recommends you wear a cloth facemask when around others and in public.
Additionally, the CDC recommends that you frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Symptoms to look out for include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the CDC.
If you suspect you have the coronavirus, you should seek out testing and self-quarantine.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the Alabama Department of Public Health.
For the most up-to-date COVID vaccine information, check out this WZDX story: Alabama COVID vaccine updates
