All 19 experts voting in the Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Related Biological Products expressed a positive opinion.
Members of the FDA’s advisory body agreed that in view of the lower level of protection afforded by the previously single-dose vaccine compared to the Pfizer and Moderna preparations, the use of a second dose is warranted. The data shows that two doses of J&J increase its effectiveness from 74 percent up to 90 percent
“It was always a two-dose vaccine”
Some experts were of the opinion that the preparation should in fact be considered a two-dose vaccine and both doses should be recommended for everyone.
“I think this vaccine has always been a two-dose, I think it’s better as a two-dose vaccine,” said Dr. Paul Offit.
The commission’s opinion is not binding on the FDA’s second dose approval decision, but in practice the agency almost always follows expert advice.
On Thursday, the same panel unanimously backed approval of an additional dose of Moderna’s vaccine, but only for people over 65 or at high risk for Covid-19.
On Friday, experts will also discuss mixing vaccines. A study by US scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), released Wednesday, indicated that people who received the Covid-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson could benefit most from taking a booster dose of another mRNA vaccine, namely Pfizer and Moderna.
In those first vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson, antibody levels rose 4 times with a booster dose of the same vaccine, 35 times with a Pfizer booster dose and 76 times with a Moderna booster dose.
Also read:
USA: One vaccine does not meet all criteria for the third doseAlso read:
J&J has applied for approval for an additional dose of the single-dose COVID-19 vaccineAlso read:
Moderna vaccines only for rich countries. Why?
– .
