COVID-19 vaccines: Janssen/Johnson & Johnson

The Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J) SARS-CoV-2 viral vector vaccine is the third COVID-19 vaccine that received emergency use authorization (EUA) by the FDA.

J&J has also received an EUA for administration of a single COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for individuals 18 years of age and older, two months after completion of the J&J primary series, five months after completion of the Pfizer-BioNTech primary series or six months after completion of the Moderna primary series.

However, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are preferred for the primary series and booster dose, over the J&J COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 for those 18 years of age and older due to the risk of rare adverse events such as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS).

Currently authorized or approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are Pfizer-BioNTech’s and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines.

Find clinical vaccine guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations.

FDA

• The FDA has issued an EUA to permit the emergency use of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older.
• The FDA has issued an amended EUA with warnings and precautions for TTS.
• Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine.

Learn more about FDA information on COVID-19 vaccines and the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.

CDC

• CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Updated Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for Use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine After Reports of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Among Vaccine Recipients—United States, April 2021.
• CDC HAN: Cases of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia after Receipt of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine (includes recommendations for clinicians).
• American Society of Hematology Guidance: Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (also termed Vaccine-induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia).

Learn more about the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The CDC offers a guide on preparing for COVID-19 vaccination for health care professionals and a COVID-19 vaccination communications tool kit for medical centers, clinics and clinicians.

Explore featured AMA news and media about the Janssen/J&J COVID-19 vaccine, including the AMA COVID-19 Video Update.

AMA COVID-19 Video Update

• Sandra Fryhofer, MD, discusses new J&J vaccine recommendations
• Sandra Fryhofer, MD, on lifting of J&J/Janssen vaccine pause
• Susan Bailey, MD, on what physicians need to know about J&J vaccine
• Sandra Fryhofer, MD, on the J&J Janssen COVID-19 vaccine pause
• Logistical pluses of Janssen vaccine & a look at vaccine for kids
• Mira Irons, MD, details the new Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

AMA webinar series: What physicians need to know about COVID-19 vaccines

• Peter Marks, MD, PhD, discusses Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine pause

News highlights

• Moderna and J&J COVID-19 vaccine boosters: What doctors must know
• What doctors wish patients knew about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
• J&J vaccine and brain blood clots: What physicians should know

Media coverage

• Statement on CDC guidelines for boosters, mixing COVID-19 vaccines
• AMA statement on ACIP reaffirming J&J COVID-19 vaccine in U.S.
• AMA announces update to COVID-19 vaccine CPT codes