Thanks for the link. I didn't make it all the way through but did hear the part where he discussed the differences between the vaccines. Perhaps I should go back in this thread and re-read what rsvman wrote also. But before I do that, I will say that in listening to the messaging from Dr. Ohl, even though he tried to address the issue head on, I'll give him a D+ on making the case for J&J over the mRNA vaccines. As they are infectious disease experts and not economists or marketers, I don't fault them. They view the situation a bit differently than the average self-interested person.
So, this is the issue as I see it. Up to this point, the mRNA vaccines with their 95% efficacy are being viewed like this:
Attachment 12622
(2020 Corvette for those that don't know, incredible car by the way both in looks and I hear in driving. Many car aficionados are shocked that GM could produce such a soul stirring product)
The J&J vaccine with its 70% efficacy looks like this in comparison.
Attachment 12623
(2020 Chevy Malibu, a good car that does what you need it to do, though CR says the reliability appears to have slipped from its very reliable '14-'15 models)
In the vaccine scenario, these vehicles come at no cost to the purchaser, so one can have a Corvette or a Malibu. Which would you take for the price of $0?
There are obviously lots of complicating factors such as availability, this analogy was built on the simple premise that performance is the only criteria to evaluate on. But that is the second order issue that occurs when 95% efficacy rates pop up first and that is used to convince vaccine skeptics that they should get it. Also, glossing over mild and moderate cases may serve the focus of public health and infectious disease experts with the laudable goal of reducing healthcare system stress, it doesn't always square with individual preference. This isn't a problem unique to the US:
Merkel says she won't take AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine because she's too old, as 1.4 million jabs are left unused
Thomas Colson, Feb 26, 2021, 6:34 AM
The chancellor said she would not get the vaccine because it had not been approved for people over 65 in Germany.
"I am 66 years old and do not belong to the recommended group for AstraZeneca," she told the paper.
Recent trials in Scotland have linked AstraZeneca's vaccine with
a dramatic drop in the risk of hospitalization among older people.
https://www.businessinsider.com/ange...vaccine-2021-2
Africa not 'walking away' from AstraZeneca vaccine, CDC says
By
Alexander Winning,
Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The African Union (AU) will not be “walking away” from AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine but will target its use in countries that have not reported cases of the variant dominant in South Africa, the head of its disease control body said on Thursday.
The comments come after South Africa paused the rollout of the vaccine because of preliminary trial data showing it offered minimal protection against mild to moderate disease caused by the 501Y.V2 variant dominant in the country.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-h...-idUSKBN2AB0Q4