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The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has been presented with one major advantage over its counterparts since its authorization for use: it only requires a single dose. But with the exponential spread of the highly transmissible delta variant, questions have arisen as to whether recipients might need to “top up” their immunity to the now dominant strain in the United States with a second hit.
Although the efficacy of the J&J vaccine to protect against symptomatic COVID-19 in clinical trials has been lower than that of the two-dose mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, it has been shown to be 100% effective against hospitalization and the death.
Recent research suggests that mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna, appear to be resistant to the delta variant as long as you have been fully vaccinated with two doses.
Pfizer reported on Thursday that initial data showed that receiving a third dose, six to 12 months after being fully vaccinated, could provide more protection and promised to have data to release in the coming week to request to the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend a third dose.
Johnson and Johnson released their own data suggesting that their single dose is also resistant to the dominant variant, but this was a small study and people think more is more.
Promising preliminary data suggests that the J&J vaccine offers good protection against the delta variant.
In a lab experiment, researchers analyzed the blood of 10 people who had been vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and tested it against several variants of concern, including delta.
They found that the vaccine appeared to work against the variants, as shown by “neutralizing antibody titers” and other indicators of the immune system’s response.
The level of immune response required to gain protection is still an open science, but the experience has offered promising clues, if not definitive evidence, of protection in the real world.
The news gives some reassurance to the more than 12 million Americans who have received the J&J vaccine; it is also prompting some medical experts to re-evaluate the role that a ‘booster’ might play – whether it will still be needed, and if so, when and for whom.
“The new data actually changes my opinion,” said Dr. John Brownstein, epidemiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and medical contributor to ABC News. “We try as much as possible to stick to science when it comes to vaccine strategy, and overall this is really encouraging news.”
All vaccines available in the United States have so far been shown to be safe and effective for at least eight months. Brownstein said receiving a booster is probably safe and looks forward to new data. In the meantime, these new data give some hope to those who have received the J&J vaccine, that for now, they still have protection.
“We want to wait for data to support whatever kind of vaccine strategy we recommend,” said Brownstein, stressing the importance of consistent, data-backed recommendations.
The science has yet to be settled, experts say.
“I think there are still open questions for those who are immunocompromised,” Brownstein said. “Talk to your doctor, especially if you’re in the high risk category. “
Dr William Schaffner, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, explained that “when we talk about people with immunosuppression it includes a broad spectrum of diseases, and there is no currently has no studies to indicate that an extra dose will benefit you or what kind of reactions you might get with an extra dose. “
For now, Schaffner strongly opposes the idea of an additional recall without formal recommendations. He pointed out that the CDC has yet to recommend any recalls, under any circumstances at this time.
“People are making these recommendations based on the hope: hope it works and hope there won’t be any adverse events. But there certainly hasn’t been any formal study to back it up yet. Schaffner added.
In fact, following Pfizer’s announcement, the FDA and CDC issued a joint statement calling for caution about the need for a booster, as only 47.7% of the U.S. population is currently fully vaccinated. .
“Americans who have been fully immunized do not need a booster at this time,” the agencies said in a statement Thursday. “The FDA, CDC, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) are in a rigorous, scientifically-based process to determine if or when a recall might be necessary.”
While many experts remain divided on the issue of boosters, it’s not for lack of confidence in the single-shot vaccine that is doing its job. Dr Vin Gupta, an intensive care pulmonologist and professor at the University of Medicine of Wisconsin, said an additional booster on top of the single J&J vaccine would essentially be an additional layer of protection.
Gupta called for a recall not because he thinks the J&J vaccine is not working well, but rather to provide level protection for all vaccines at all levels. He maintains this position.
“The idea is that if we are to have a uniform set of policies, everyone should be entitled to the same level of immunity and effective vaccines,” Gupta said. “The point is that a booster with mRNA doesn’t appear to be harmful and getting everyone to the same level of immunity should be our goal.”
Dr. Stephanie Widmer, an emergency physician and medical toxicology researcher in New York City, contributes to the ABC News medical unit.
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