Unpacking the Production of and Products in the J&J Vaccine
Part 1 of a 2 part series devoted to the production, safety, and efficacy of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine
As a community, we are facing an epidemic of misinformation and miscommunication surrounding the emergency use authorization of the J&J vaccine. As an epidemiologist, this concerns me; it keeps me up at night.
Before diving deep into the production of the J&J vaccine. I want to be clear about these five important facts (memorize them before reading below the line!) —
Vaccines save lives and prevent suffering.
The Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines are safe and effective.
The Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines do NOT contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and therefore, cannot cause COVID-19.
The J&J vaccine does contain DNA from the SARS-CoV-2 virus; this viral DNA cannot change your DNA (it is missing the necessary enzyme to do this).
The J&J vaccine does not contain human cells or cells from aborted fetuses.
In this two-part series focused on the J&J vaccine (part 2 will focus on efficacy), I want to describe the technology that was used to develop the J&J vaccine, explain the ingredients in the vaccine, and discuss the reality of vaccine supply and distribution right now. Please note, this article will discuss abortions and fetal cell lines. I will also be addressing what the Catholic Church has said about the J&J vaccine.
In its briefing documents to the FDA, J&J states that their COVID-19 vaccine —
“The Ad26 vector expressing the SARS-CoV-2 S protein is grown in PER.C6Ⓡ TetR Cell Line, in media containing amino acides and no animal-derived proteins. After propagation, the vaccine is processed through several purification steps, formulated with inactive ingredients, and filled into vials.”
What does this mean?
Let’s unpack these two sentences one phrase at a time.
To start — the Ad 26 vector. This is shorthand for adenovirus type 26. Adenoviruses are very common and often are the cause of the common cold. These viruses easily infect human beings, and therefore we can use the adenovirus to transport the vaccine materials into the arm muscle.
… expressing the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. This means we have taken the adenovirus type 26 and combined it with the DNA from the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. To do this, the adenovirus has to be modified in two ways. First, a section of the adenovirus’s DNA is removed so that it cannot replicate or give you an infection (i.e., a cold) when the vaccine is administered. Then the DNA from the SARS-CoV-2 virus is inserted into the adenovirus’s genetic code. The SARS-CoV-2 DNA sequence is the code that produces the spike protein. The spike protein will be recognized by the immune system and trigger the creation of an immune response/immunity in an individual who is vaccinated.
The adenovirus serves as a delivery system to get the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein into the body and to the immune system. It looks something like this —
Moving onto … is grown in PER.C6Ⓡ TetR Cell Line. In order to produce large quantities of the vaccine, the adenovirus needs a host so that it can replicate. The host that is used is the PER.C6Ⓡ TetR Cell Line. The cell line (which I will define and describe below) is the warehouse where the adenovirus vaccine is made; cell lines are used as miniature factories that are able to generate vast quantities of adenovirus that are used to safely and efficiently transport the DNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into the body. To quote Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center, the cell lines are—
“in the vat (where the vaccine is made); its NOT going into your arm.”
What is a cell line? More specifically, what is PER.C6?
A cell line is a bunch of identical cells that grow in a dish in a lab and are able to divide indefinitely (they are in essence immortal). Cell lines are used extensively in biomedical and pharmaceutical research (chickenpox, rubella, and shingles vaccines as well as treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and cystic fibrosis, among others including President Trump’s antibody cocktail - Regeneron’s REGN-COV2).
How cell lines originated is where the controversy (and misinformed headlines) begins.
The PER.C6 cell line originated from retinal cells taken from an 18-week-old fetus that was legally aborted 36 years ago in the Netherlands. The exact circumstances of the abortion are unknown. What is known is the scientists who produced the cell line were not directly involved in the abortion, and the abortion was not performed for the sake of providing biological material to the researchers. Additionally, there is no on-going use of aborted tissues in the upkeep and maintenance of the cell lines. During the past 36 years, the PER.C6 cell line has been modified and reproduced many times over. The cells have not retained the natural function of the tissues from which they were derived.
… the vaccine is processed through several purification steps, formulated with inactive ingredients, and filled into vials. The PER.C6 cell line is used to grow the adenovirus for the vaccine. Once the adenovirus is grown, it is purified so the cellular debris from the cell line is removed. After it has been purified, ethanol is added (to balance the pH) as well as salt and water (to prevent clumping). According to J&J —
“Our vaccine formula itself includes no fetal tissue.”
The J&J vaccine does NOT contain any human cells, cell fragments, or human tissue. However, the origin of the cell line does begin with an abortion. Pro-life supporters have asked two questions about the J&J COVID vaccine — first if I get the J&J vaccine does that in one way or another endorse or contribute to the practice of abortion? And second, if I get the J&J vaccine does that in any way show disrespect for the remains of a human fetus?
The short answer to both of these questions is NO.
The Chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine clarifies —
“… it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.”
The USCCB goes on to say (in agreement with the Pope) that if given a vaccine choice an individual should choose to get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, which were not produced using a cell line.1
This recommendation brings us to the present moment, where the supply of vaccines is not meeting the demand and very few of us have the ability to choose which vaccine we will receive. Choosing to wait for the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is a choice to take on unnecessary risk, one that could harm you or others.
Vaccines save lives. Vaccines prevent suffering.
I believe that pro-life supporters and the public health community both want to protect the health of our communities and stop the spread of COVID-19. Delaying your vaccination is a matter of life and death. The need to get every adult vaccinated must be our shared priority. If/when the time comes when individuals can choose which vaccine they would like, the wishes of individuals who object to the use of cell lines in the production of the J&J vaccine will be respected. However, at this moment there is NO CHOICE.
We must accept the vaccine we are offered because in the end — vaccines save lives and vaccines prevent suffering.
And please remember the five truths I listed at the very beginning. Share them with your communities so that we can stop misinformation campaigns and get more shots into arms! —
Vaccines save lives and prevent suffering.
The Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines are safe and effective.
The Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines do NOT contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and therefore, cannot cause COVID-19.
The J&J vaccine does contain DNA from the SARS-CoV-2 virus; this viral DNA cannot change your DNA (it is missing the necessary enzyme to do this).
The J&J vaccine does not contain human cells or cells from aborted fetuses.
NOTE: both Pfizer and Moderna used cell lines during preclinical testing of their vaccines.