Modest turnout on day one of Ford Field clinic offering Johnson & Johnson vaccine

More than 850K COVID-19 cases confirmed in Michigan

DETROIT – It was another day out at the Ford Field mass vaccination site in Detroit on Tuesday.

Local 4 News asked 24 people whether they had received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Every single one of those people stated that they were there for the Pfizer shot.

It is a clear indiction that the demand for the vaccine is slowing down in Detroit and statewide.

Gina Salaski of Milford just got her second COVID-19 vaccine shot.

“So good, so good,” said Salaski describing how it feels to get the vaccine.

If she was first offered the one shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine she would still stick with Pfizer.

“Only because I’ve heard there’s more illness with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. I am a working mom and can’t have that,” she said.

The federal government hit the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the middle of April to further study blood clots in six people who took the vaccine.

As of Tuesday the vaccine was back to being distributed and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is safe and effective.

The CDC is studying the death of a Michigan woman who got the Johnson & Johnson shot. However, no links to the vaccine have been made.

Read more: CDC reviews death of Michigan woman who got Johnson & Johnson vaccine -- everything you should know

Still, it is likely having an impact at Ford Field.

As of Friday, the CDC told Americans to move forward deeming the vaccine safe and effective.

Melissa Miranda of Canton says if she was offered the Johnson & Johnson vaccine she would still stick with Pfizer.

“Given a choice I would go with Pfizer,” she said.

Yet one study says nearly 20 percent of people would still chose the one shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

There are no plans to stop using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine during the final two weeks of the Ford Field clinic.

LATEST: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 851,947; Death toll now at 17,897

HOW TO GET VACCINATED


About the Authors

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.

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