![Johnson and Johnson says its booster shot provides ninefold increase in COVID-19 antibodies](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/jSuUCB1TRSqW95PvrDX0tIWY2Pg=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AHRLCWYBU5CD3PP5CMFTR25QWU.jpg)
Johnson and Johnson says its booster shot provides ninefold increase in COVID-19 antibodies
On Wednesday, Johnson & Johnson said that studies show that its booster vaccine provides a ninefold increase in COVID-19 antibodies in comparison to the COVID-19 shot on its own, NBC News reports.
![Johnson & Johnson recalling Neutrogena, Aveeno sunscreens after finding traces of benzene](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/cQcZW6Po0h8Gx4QRhZ5LOqWzQEE=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/GAHWHHPN2NCDZDACL7DZWXNC3E.jpg)
Johnson & Johnson recalling Neutrogena, Aveeno sunscreens after finding traces of benzene
Johnson & Johnson is recalling five of its sunscreen sprays after discovering low levels of benzene, a chemical that can cause cancer, in some samples.
![Southwest Virginia health districts work to rebuild trust in Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/2UeY6rw9TMp9zAHMNBlIS-6MUmE=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/04-26-2021/t_e89b0945cc5542bea763b03a3016cf78_name_image.jpg)
Southwest Virginia health districts work to rebuild trust in Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine
After federal officials lifted a recommended pause on the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, local health departments are working to help the public regain trust in the only one-shot dose available
![Thousands receive Moderna dose after Roanokeโs walk-in clinic](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/HkBN_RScFwaVPAJ3SjCHU-8Idxg=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/04-15-2021/t_ca7537e6e72f4678959561aea0ff32b3_name_image.jpg)
Thousands receive Moderna dose after Roanokeโs walk-in clinic
Open to anyone in the area looking to get their first dose of Moderna, Roanoke Alleghany Health District hosted a walk-in clinic at the Berglund Center Thursday.
![Carilion Clinic leaders assure Johnson and Johnson vaccine safety amid concerns](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/xzFt9exB0ceAC396xGsTAT3GEeg=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/04-14-2021/t_a308f1e3f3ee4c5f8fdbea6ccf1b42cc_name_image.jpg)
Carilion Clinic leaders assure Johnson and Johnson vaccine safety amid concerns
Health experts with Carilion Clinic want to assure the public that the risk of getting a rare blood clot from the vaccine is incredibly low.
![Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine pause will slow efforts of vaccinating those in rural communities](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/C20qAk0dR7EokkEWXgD8XONDmsE=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/04-14-2021/t_14ae14fced0b403db2aeaf1c4ad03c18_name_image.jpg)
Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine pause will slow efforts of vaccinating those in rural communities
The federal decision to temporarily pause the distribution of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has implications in every health district in the Commonwealth, especially the smaller ones who planned to use the convenient one-dose shot to vaccinate their hard-to-reach residents.
![Warning signs for blood clots linked with Johnson & Johnson vaccine](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/Lz6bmkl4Bd07b816O6ipbn5yYpY=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/04-13-2021/t_4fcfde613dec4f9a8f20e27d6185fae2_name_image.jpg)
Warning signs for blood clots linked with Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Thousands of people have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine across Southwest and Central Virginia and health experts say they understand if there are concerns.
![Johnson and Johnson vaccine recipient who died, leading to pause in injections, is from Virginia](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/koevtglJuznE1bgh_0ko6BrhVpA=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/04-13-2021/t_1282b085fa09454687b34fa6ae640a3f_name_image.jpg)
Johnson and Johnson vaccine recipient who died, leading to pause in injections, is from Virginia
States around the nation, including Virginia, put a pause on the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine.
![US recommends 'pause' for J&J shots in blow to vaccine drive](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/6vwjL8oaaXB62CkFOyIG2UKE8FE=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZR6IN2ONIRAFRGJZ7LISK6IKQU.jpg)
US recommends 'pause' for J&J shots in blow to vaccine drive
The U.S. recommendation to โpauseโ use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine set off a chain reaction worldwide and dealt a setback to the global vaccine campaign.
![Demand for Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine high in New River Valley](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/MW-NPRFb983vaTmXyFyjJ0aPn5s=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-29-2021/t_415954d94e954d37a55e39b015ff04a9_name_image.jpg)
Demand for Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine high in New River Valley
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. โ Health officials in the New River Valley are not getting as many doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as expected. Health Director Dr. Noelle Bissell says people in the district have the most interest in the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. โWe have a lot of people who have expressed interest in the Johnson and Johnson because it is a one-and-done shot. So we have a waitlist as soon as we get it that we can offer to people to come to a clinic that is Johnson and Johnson specific,โ New River Health Director Dr. Noelle Bissell said. Bissell is still advising the community to get whatever vaccine becomes available first so the region can reach herd immunity against the virus.
![Hotline to register 65 and older for the vaccine extended in Roanoke Valley](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/_rEZh3npJ9TGGKuUeN068mdFjdg=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-26-2021/t_e8054c446930427787e8855a4cea7e72_name_image.jpg)
Hotline to register 65 and older for the vaccine extended in Roanoke Valley
ROANOKE, Va. โ While some areas are moving forward to Phase 1c with vaccine distribution, Roanoke Alleghany County Health District is still far from it. Waiting for more Johnson and Johnson vaccines, Dr. Cynthia Morrow said an extra 1,000 Moderna vaccines are expected to be added to the next shipment. A necessary supply as Morrow said a reduction of vaccine allocation from the state was not expected. โYou know all of us were a little bit disappointed when we learned the state allocation was 49,000 not the over 100,000 we were expecting,โ she said. Thatโs why on Wednesday a hotline was created to help register 65 and up.
![Biden boosts US vaccine stockpile as world waits](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/c0V1WYBVzR30en32yaeQvAcPgXI=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Q3YUDJBHTVEEJKHZPIWTM5NTYI.jpg)
Biden boosts US vaccine stockpile as world waits
White House aides said Bidenโs first priority is ensuring that Americans are vaccinated before considering distributing doses elsewhere. AdRussia has sent millions of doses of its Sputnik V vaccine to countries around the world, even as it vaccinates its own population. Israel, which has vaccinated more than half of its population with Pfizer vaccines produced in Europe, has also attempted to use vaccine diplomacy to reward allies. Biden's purchasing strategy has come under criticism from nongovernmental organizations who have encouraged the White House to develop clear plans and thresholds for sharing vaccine with the world. So weโre not going to be ultimately safe until the world is safe,โ acknowledged Biden.
![Biden boosts US vaccine stockpile as world waits](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/a11rnrO-I3u0vldpLXtTKwcxJS4=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NRJM57CC5VE2DLIAT2QPOY56MI.jpg)
Biden boosts US vaccine stockpile as world waits
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON โ President Joe Biden on Wednesday directed his administration to order another 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, growing a likely U.S. surplus of doses later this year when much of the rest of the world struggles with deep shortages. White House aides said that Bidenโs first priority is ensuring that Americans are vaccinated before considering distributing doses elsewhere. Biden's purchasing strategy has come under criticism from nongovernmental organizations who have encouraged the White House to develop clear plans and thresholds for sharing vaccine with the world. โThe only way to defeat this virus for good is to defeat it everywhere โ and that requires an immediate plan for sharing excess vaccine doses globally,โ said Sarah Swinehart, senior director for communications at The ONE Campaign. So weโre not going to be ultimately safe until the world is safe,โ acknowledged Biden.
![Canada clears Johnson & Johnson vaccine, first to approve 4](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/0C9rnmSUFpQAd_1ENsiesQOJkmE=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4K4DUHKPFZEA7IXJSYLDDDS2UY.jpg)
Canada clears Johnson & Johnson vaccine, first to approve 4
FILE - This Dec. 2, 2020, file photo provided by Johnson & Johnson shows vials of the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. The U.S. is getting a third vaccine to prevent COVID-19, as the Food and Drug Administration on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021 cleared a Johnson & Johnson shot that works with just one dose instead of two (Johnson & Johnson via AP)TORONTO, ONT โ Canada is getting a fourth vaccine to prevent COVID-19 as the country's health regulator has cleared a Johnson & Johnson shot that works with just one dose instead of two, officials said Friday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada has an agreement with Johnson & Johnson for 10 million doses before September. Trudeau said officials have been assured by the European Union that Pfizer and Moderna vaccine deliveries to Canada won't be disrupted. He said Canada won't get AstraZeneca vaccines doses from Europe for months.
![All Virginians who want a COVID vaccine will likely have their first dose by the end May](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/q7XNg9hggjbL_a3AE6ZnBKmLkdo=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-03-2021/t_2f9f082c374046a3b14fa74afd7c9c02_name_image.jpg)
All Virginians who want a COVID vaccine will likely have their first dose by the end May
ROANOKE, Va โ Virginiaโs top vaccine expert said everyone in the commonwealth who wants a COVID-19 vaccine should be able to get their first shot by the end of May. Dr. Danny Avula with the Virginia Department of Health said Virginia continues to get increased amounts of Moderna, Pfizer, and now the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Avula said that by the end of the month, VDH will be getting 500,000 doses of the vaccine a week and 650,000 doses a week by the end of April. โItโs very realistic to say that everybody in 1b, who wants to get vaccinated will be able to do that by the end of April, and everybody across the board who wants to get vaccinated, was able to get their first dose by the end of May,โ said Avula. The VDH will also start hosting more large-scale vaccination events starting later this week to distribute the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
![Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine could be in Roanoke Valley as soon as next week](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/F8-OFSwxytw7-XirTF2wXO1ceYI=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/02-26-2021/t_1a4aa7bb49b141e5989feea7bfc4594a_name_image.jpg)
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine could be in Roanoke Valley as soon as next week
ROANOKE, Va โ If the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is approved, it could be in the Roanoke Valley as early as next week. The vaccine is on the verge of getting emergency approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Studies show the single-shot vaccine would be 66% effective against moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. Roanoke City and Alleghany Health District Director Dr. Cynthia Morrow says the department will likely administer the shot on different days during its clinics. The department will likely get a small amount at first and then increased doses as time goes on similar to Moderna and Pfizer.
![Johnson and Johnson vaccine could be key to the distribution slowdown](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/JpNFxKhJEr5mF4VJ8j7GYD6_ZY0=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/02-24-2021/t_1558d53771f648768f92f0ff6400ac25_name_image.jpg)
Johnson and Johnson vaccine could be key to the distribution slowdown
ROANOKE, Va. โ With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deeming the Johnson and Johnson safe to use and effective, it could be key to helping solve the distribution dilemma in the Commonwealth. Despite the Johnson and Johnson vaccine being 66% effective, Dr. Noelle Bissell, the director for the New River Health District, said it will work. โWe say this every year about flu vaccinations. Even flu vaccinations are not even that high.โRequiring standard refrigeration temperatures, Bissell said the vaccine is a more convenient dose to deliver and administer. โThe Johnson and Johnson works very well if you are going to do a big drive-thru event because again itโs a one-time dose,โ she said.
![Oklahoma judge miscalculated judgment in opioid case](https://sharedmedia.grahamdigital.com/photo/2019/08/27/via%20CNN%20Judge%20Thad%20Balkman_1566884381717.jpg.jpg.jpg_22209775_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Oklahoma judge miscalculated judgment in opioid case
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Oklahoma judge who recently ordered pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson to pay $572 million for its role in the state's opioid crisis says he made a mathematical error when calculating the judgment. As part of the landmark verdict in August, Judge Thad Balkman set aside $107,683,000 to help combat neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS. On Tuesday, Balkman agreed with Johnson and Johnson regarding the error. The judge still needs to decide if the court will continue to monitor the opioid crisis for the next 20 years and potentially award more money to the state. Johnson & Johnson has already indicated they will appeal any decision.
![Drug making giant loses historic opioid court battle](https://sharedmedia.grahamdigital.com/photo/2019/08/26/via%20CNN%20Oklahoma%20opioid%20trial_1566881486673.jpg.jpg.jpg_22207949_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Drug making giant loses historic opioid court battle
For the first time ever a drug maker is being held responsible for one of the worst man-made epidemics in history. Johnson and Johnson has been ordered to pay the state of Oklahoma $572 million.