Gateway COVID-19 vaccination site switches to only one-shot Johnson & Johnson and second doses of vaccine

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The federally supported, state-run Gateway vaccination site made a big change, dropping the first-dose Pfizer vaccine and switching to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesperson for the Gateway site, Brandi Bates, told Action News Jax the decision to only provide the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is for efficiency and getting more shots into arms.

Between the one-and-done shot and the new age drop of 16+ in Florida, many have made their way out to the site in hopes of returning to normal as soon as possible.

“Honestly, I want to enjoy a great day at the beach,” 20-year-old Nicholas Williams said. “Without my mask.”

Williams has summer on his mind but hopes he can enjoy it safely.

By 1 p.m. today, the Gateway vaccination site administered 871 shots of its only option now — the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Around the same time yesterday with Pfizer, it did just over 600.

Williams believes this could pick up the vaccination rate.

“One and done, yeah. I think that will help more people to come,” he said. “Just because it’s one and done. They won’t have to come back again.”

While those ages 16+ are eligible for the vaccine in Florida, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is only authorized for people 18 and up.

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Williams thinks this is not just Duval County, but the entire state needs to get the vaccine to protect one another.

“I think it’s actually great, the younger generation. It gives them more of a chance to want to do the shot,” he said.

The site can administer 3,000 Johnson & Johnson doses daily.

If you are still waiting for your second shot of the Pfizer vaccine from this site, you are guaranteed that shot to complete the whole series.

Cox Media Group