Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrives

Delaware has received its first 8,000-dose allotment of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and has planned events this weekend to distribute them.

An event will be held Saturday, March 6, in Seaford for people on the state's vaccine waiting list. They will be contacted for appointments ahead of time. On Sunday, March 7, an invitation-only event will be held at the Delaware City Division of Motor Vehicles.

“I, for one, like the idea of a one-dose vaccine,” said Gov. John Carney during his March 2 press conference. “This is good news ... I'm happy to lead the way, by the way, if anyone is hesitant about this single-dose vaccine. I'll jump to the front of the line to set the example that this is a good and effective vaccine.”

Dr. Karyl Rattay, director of the Division of Public Health, said there are about 70,000 people still on a waiting list for their first shots, and they should seize the opportunity to take the first shot available to them. All three shots – Pfizer, Moderna and now Johnson & Johnson – are 100 percent effective in preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19, she said.

“We recommend people take the first vaccine offered to them regardless of type,” she said.