The advent of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will make it easier for San Diegans to get vaccinated against the virus.
The one-time vaccine has arrived in the region and is distributed in the same way as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Some people have shown reluctance to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine, as it was 72% effective in research trials in the United States, compared to about 94% for Moderna and 95% for Pfizer after those vaccines required two doses.
However, health officials say the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is just as effective as its counterparts in preventing serious illness from COVID-19 and has been tested for virus variants. In addition, all currently available vaccines were 100% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths during studies.
“San Diegans should receive any vaccine available when it is their turn to be vaccinated,” Wilma Wooten, MD, MPH, County Public Health Officer. “All three vaccines are excellent for preventing people from becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.”
Local vaccination sites are currently providing vaccines to San Diegans in Phase 1A and Phase 1B. Stocks remain limited.
“No matter which shot you get, you are protected from serious complications from COVID-19 and you will be able to protect others who are waiting their turn to be vaccinated,” Wooten said.
Progress vaccination:
- More than 1.15 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been delivered in the region and more than 1.04 million have been recorded as administered. Of those vaccinated to date, nearly 342,000 people, or 12.7% of San Diegans ages 16 and older, have been fully immunized.
- In all, more than 643,000 residents of the county have received at least one injection of a two-dose vaccine. That is 23.9% of the eligible persons.
- The difference between the doses administered and the doses used in a vaccination roughly represents what is expected to be administered in the next seven days and the doses still to be entered into the registration system.
- More information on vaccine distribution can be found on the County’s vaccination dashboard. For details on currently eligible groups and vaccination options, visit vaccinationsuperstations.dom.
Status statistics:
- San Diego County’s state-calculated, adjusted number of cases is currently 10.8 cases per 100,000 residents (as of March 2), and the region is in Purple Tier or Tier 1.
- The test positivity rate is 4.2%, placing the county in Tier 3 or the Orange Tier. While the test positivity rate for the county qualifies it at level 3, the state uses the most restrictive measure – in this case, the adjusted number of cases – and assigns counties to that level. Therefore, the province remains in the purple layer or level 1.
- The district health equality statistic, which looks at test positivity for areas with the lowest healthy conditions, is 6% and is in the red tier or tier 2. This metric does not move counties to more restrictive levels, but should progress to a less restrictive low.
- The California Department of Public Health reviews counties on a weekly basis. The next report is scheduled for Tuesday March. 9.
Outbreaks in the community:
- No new outbreaks in the community were confirmed on March 7.
- On March 6, four outbreaks were confirmed in the community: two in corporate settings and two in retail settings.
- No outbreaks were confirmed in the community on March 5.
- In the past seven days (March 1 through March 7), 24 outbreaks were confirmed in the community.
- The number of outbreaks in the community remains above the trigger of seven or more in seven days.
- A community outbreak is defined as three or more COVID-19 cases in an environment and in people from different households in the past 14 days.
To test:
- 9,770 tests were reported to the county on March 7, and the rate of new positive cases was 3%.
- The moving average percentage of positive cases over 14 days is 3.2%. Target is less than 8.0%.
- The 7-day, daily average of tests is 12,835.
Case studies, hospital admissions and IC admissions:
- On March 7, 307 cases were reported to the County. The total of the region is now 263,275.
- 13,259 or 5% of all cases require hospitalization.
- 1,613 or 0.6% of all cases and 12.2% of hospitalized cases had to be admitted to an intensive care unit.
Deaths:
- No new COVID-19 deaths were reported. March 7th. The total of the region is 3,390.
- Five COVID-19 deaths were reported on March 6.
- Three men and two women died between January 28 and January 30.
- Of the five deaths, one person who died was 80 years of age or older, two people who died were in their 70s and two in their 60s.
- They all had underlying medical conditions.
- 14 COVID-19 deaths were reported on March 5.
- 10 men and four women died between January 16 and March 4.
- Of the 14 deaths reported on March 5, four people who died were aged 80 or older, six were in their 70s, one in their 60s, two in their 50s, and one in their 40s.
- 12 had underlying medical conditions and two did not.
More information:
The more detailed data summaries on the The county coronavirus-sd.com website are updated daily around 5pm.