Johnson & Johnson may soon be ready to administer a second shot after findings that a second dose significantly improves protection against COVID-19. The company announced that data supports a booster shot for people previously vaccinated with the single-shot J&J vaccine. In a release the company said:
In anticipation of the potential need for boosters, the Company conducted two Phase 1/2a studies in individuals previously vaccinated with its single-shot vaccine. New interim data from these studies demonstrate that a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine generated a rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the primary single-dose vaccination.
Dr. Mathai Mammen, Global Head of Janssen Research & Development at Johnson & Johnson remarked:
“We look forward to discussing with public health officials a potential strategy for our Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, boosting eight months or longer after the primary single-dose vaccination.”
The booster would still need approval. CNN writes, “J&J said it was in discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, European Medicines Agency, World Health Organization and other health authorities about the need for offering a booster dose of the Janssen vaccine.”