CASPER, WYOMING (March 8, 2021) – The Casper Natrona County Health Department (CNCHD) has received a limited a number of Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccinations that are currently unavailable to the general public.
Johnson & Johnson, also known as Janssen, has developed a single-dose, safe, effective vaccination for COVID-19, approved for use by the FDA Feb. 27. It uses different technology than the Pfizer and Modern vaccines, but like both of these, it has been shown to prevent severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death. It’s another tool in our fight against COVID.
The CNCHD has received 500 Johnson & Johnson vaccines, and due to the limited number, these inoculations are currently reserved for a select population that is difficult to reach for a second dose.
“Because our initial supply is so small, we’re going to save Johnson & Johnson for individuals that will be more difficult to reach for a second dose. This would be someone who is homeless, is living in a residential mental health facility and other more transient individuals,” Public Information Officer Hailey Bloom said.
Bloom encourages everyone who is currently eligible for a vaccine to take whatever brand is available as opposed to waiting for one specific type. Eligibility groups continue to be added and expanded, so it’s important to maximize every dose from every vaccine. The CNCHD is not accepting brand requests at this time.
“All FDA-approved vaccines are great options for keeping Casper safe from COVID-19, so please take whatever we have available. The rate we’ve been able to vaccinate our community far exceeds most of the country, and we need to keep this progress rolling,” Bloom said.
To see if you are currently eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://caspervcovid.com/vaccine/. If you are experiencing flu like symptoms or have had direct contact with a known positive case, please seek testing through the Casper-Natrona County Health Department by visiting caspervcovid.com or by calling 307-577- 9892