By Allison Perrine
NEW JERSEY – COVID-19 vaccination efforts are picking up steam in New Jersey and nationwide, especially as more sites receive and administer the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
This latest one-shot vaccine is unique and important in the fight against COVID-19 as it is easier to distribute and faster to fully administer to citizens, according to John Parker, senior vice president of communications for Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA). HDA is a national organization that represents pharmaceutical distributors and acts as a link between pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and others nationwide.
In an interview with The Two River Times this week, Parker provided a “macro view” of the day-to-day logistics and planning that goes into moving the vaccines from one point to another. Speaking specifically about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Parker gave an example of how McKesson, a member company with HDA, serves as a centralized vaccine distributor. The first step is to acquire, pack and ship the Johnson & Johnson vaccines from the manufacturer. From there, McKesson works with its partners UPS and FedEx to deliver the vaccines to the points of administration, which are identified by the federal government in concert with state governments, he said.
And the transportation method requires care and cooling. All three of the current COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the United States – Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson – require some degree of cooling during transport. Pfizer’s is considered an “ultra-cold chain,” Parker said, and must be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius. Moderna’s is a “cold chain” and must be stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, is unique in that it only requires refrigeration.
“This allows for easier access and availability… because of its less stringent storage and transportation requirements,” said Parker.
While the temperature requirement is a key factor in easier shipment, administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine also plays a key role in ramping up vaccination efforts. Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one dose, meaning those who receive it are fully vaccinated after one shot. Pfizer and Moderna both require two doses given about three or four weeks apart to be fully effective.
According to Parker, the increase in providers able to administer the vaccines has also played a vital role in continuing the fight against COVID-19. Part of this expansion has been possible through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, a collaboration among the federal government, states and territories as well as 21 national and independent pharmacy partners, according to the CDC. In New Jersey, that includes CVS Pharmacy, Inc.; Managed Health Care Associates; Ride Aid Corp.; and Walgreens, including Duane Read.
“Those two pieces together have been transformational in many respects in terms of our ability to ensure that more Americans every day are getting access to vaccines,” Parker said. “Increasing the number of pharmacies that have the ability to provide vaccinations is significant because a lot of people really rely on their pharmacies. The pharmacy is a trusted provider in our communities across the country and in New Jersey, so to be able to give them the ability to have the vaccines but also to administer the vaccines is a significant development.”
When asked what advice he would give to those still having a hard time scheduling a vaccination appointment, Parker said the key is to be persistent.
“There are many more sites that are coming online and there will be many more opportunities for each one of us to receive the vaccine,” he said.
This article originally appeared in the March 25 – 31, 2021, print edition of The Two River Times.
