Booster vaccination would be considered for people 18 and older, the EMA said in early October. Nevertheless, there is still uncertainty: Should people who are not in the risk groups also get vaccinated a third time? Dr. Eva Höltl, occupational physician and spokesperson for the “Austria vaccinates” initiative said that a second vaccine is necessary.
The Johnson&Johnson vaccine is actually a so-called “one-time vaccine” and should only provide the highest possible protection through one injection. A second vaccination, as with other vaccines, was initially not required.
That has since been discarded, Dr. Höltl says. According to recent studies, the vaccine is more effective against corona infection if it is administered twice.
Booster vaccination after Johnson&Johnson?
“For everyone who has been vaccinated with Johnson&Johnson, the booster vaccination is recommended. Even those who are not high-risk patients or people over the age of 65,” she said. So anyone who has only received one Johnson&Johnson vaccination should get a booster as soon as possible.
“Data from Austria show that the rate of protection against infection is significantly higher in people who have been vaccinated twice than in people who have been vaccinated only once. Therefore, the National Vaccination Panel recommends that persons who have been vaccinated once with the COVID-19 vaccine Janssen should also receive another vaccination dose promptly,” explains Dr. Höltl.
Janssen, by the way, is the name of the vaccine from Johnson&Johnson.
The boosters can be given as early as day 28 after the initial vaccination, he said. “The recommended booster is with an mRNA vaccine – i.e., Biontech/Pfizer or Moderna,” she says.
- source: k.at/picture: pixabay.com
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