Omicron deaths of Johnson & Johnson recipients were double the rate of other vaccinated Americans, new data show

For close to 17 million Americans vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, new data from the Omicron variant wave is renewing questions over its effectiveness as federal officials weigh a new round of booster shots. 

While offering less protection than the peaks reached by the widely-used mRNA vaccines produced by Moderna or Pfizer and BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson has long pointed to studies suggesting its vaccine offers more "durable" protection than its competitors. 

For example, one recently published study from Johnson & Johnson's scientists estimated the vaccine's effectiveness against hospitalization was 81% through the Delta variant wave and was "stable for at least 180 days after vaccination."