Topline
The company announced Wednesday that a second dose of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine caused a dramatic rise in coronavirus-tackling antibody levels. This data will be used to encourage U.S. officials and other government officials to include the vaccine in their next booster campaign.
Before the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination is administered in a clinical study,... [+] December 15, 2020 in Aurora Colorado. Getty Images
The Key Facts
The company stated that a booster dose of J&J vaccine resulted in an increase in spike binding antibodies, which flag the virus to your immune system nine times faster than the levels seen after the first dose. Based on preliminary data from early-stage clinical trials, the increase was observed in people aged 18 to 55, as well as those 65 years and older who received a standard dose. Mathai Mammen from Johnson & Johnson, global head of Janssen Research & Development, stated that researchers have established that the immune response to a single shot lasts for eight months. Mammen stated that the company is open to discussing potential strategies for boosting vaccines with health officials. The company also said it is working with regulators, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Important Quote
Mammen stated that one shot of the Covid-19 vaccine produces strong, robust immune responses that last for eight months. This is consistent with previous clinical trials. We also found that a booster dose Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine increases antibody responses in study participants who have received the vaccine previously.
This is an ongoing story
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