[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] U.S. pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced that the booster shot effect of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by its subsidiary Janssen is strong.
According to CNBC and others on the 21st (local time), J&J explained that in the U.S., receiving the Janssen vaccine as the first dose and then one more dose two months later increased the prevention effect to 94%. The company also stated that antibody levels were 4 to 6 times higher than after a single dose.
J&J stated that the booster shot showed 100% effectiveness in preventing severe COVID-19.
The side effects of the booster shot were found to be similar to those of the first dose.
Paul Stoffels, J&J's Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), said, "This is evidence that the booster shot strengthens protection against COVID-19."
The Janssen vaccine is completed with a single dose and is known to have about 66% effectiveness.
However, the Associated Press reported that J&J's announcement is based on preliminary study results targeting people aged 18 to 55 and has not yet undergone peer review.
J&J is currently discussing with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and others about whether to administer booster shots of the Janssen vaccine and the target groups.
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