Johnson & Johnson announced Wednesday data supporting the use of its COVID-19 vaccine as a booster shot for people previously vaccinated with the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The company said in a statement that the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine booster "after single dose primary regimen, provided rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the primary single-dose vaccination." It added that new studies build on data demonstrating strong durability through eight months after immunization. "We have established that a single shot of our COVID-19 vaccine generates strong and robust immune responses that are durable and persistent through eight months. "With these new data, we also see that a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine further increases antibody responses among study participants who had previously received our vaccine," Global Head, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Mathai Mammen said. Mammen added, "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 Company said it is engaging with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other health authorities regarding "boosting with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine." The company indicated that "in anticipation of the potential need for boosters," it conducted two phase two studies in individuals previously vaccinated with its single-shot vaccine. The company also said a booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine generated a promising immune response in early stage clinical trials — though the information provided by the company in a press release was light on some details. J&J's vaccine requires only one dose and recipients are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the shot. The booster shot, however, increases the antibodies. Increases in antibody responses were observed in vaccine trial participants between ages 18 and 55, the company said, and in those 65 years and older who received a lower dosage of the booster shot. While the new data is promising, the company's press release made no mention of the booster shots' potential impact on the coronavirus delta variant or on safety. It also raises questions about why J&J recipients need booster shots — especially after the July report showed that a single shot of its vaccine provides immunity that lasts at least eight months and appears to deliver adequate protection against the fast-spreading Delta variant. — Agencies
