Since it was known that the corona vaccinations against the new omicron variant are less effective, booster vaccinations have been considered particularly important. But when can you start boosting after a «Johnson & Johnson» vaccination?
The Omikron variant is particularly easy to transfer and thus spreads extremely quickly. Unfortunately, the previous vaccines are not as effective against this mutation as, for example, against the Delta variant. That is why a booster vaccination (refresher vaccination) is currently considered particularly important. Because anyone who receives a third corona vaccination, for example, develops more antibodies and thus makes the immune system more resistant to a vaccine breakthrough. But how and when should you boost after a «Johnson & Johnson» vaccination? After all, vaccinated people only received one dose of this vaccine and were then already considered to be completely immunized against corona.
When should I get boosted with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
According to a recent publication by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), people who have been vaccinated with “Johnson & Johnson” should receive a booster shot with the same preparation after at least two months.1 Because previous data show that there is an increase in antibodies in adults if after at least two months the booster takes place.
As the EMA further explains, there have so far been no reports of side effects from this booster vaccination, such as the very rare cases of thrombosis. Nevertheless, data on the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine will continue to be collected and examined.
Also interesting: EMA gives booster recommendation for «Johnson & Johnson» vaccine
Johnson & Johnson vaccine also suitable as a booster for mRNA vaccines
So far, the recommendation has been that vaccinated people should ideally be boosted with an mRNA vaccine, i.e. with BioNTech or Moderna. But now the European Medicines Agency is declaring that the «Johnson & Johnson» vaccine can also be used as a booster after vaccination with preparations from BioNTech and Moderna.
However, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) only recommends mRNA vaccines as a booster, and for under-30s only with BioNTech.2
Is an mRNA vaccine better than a second vaccination?
Due to the Stiko recommendation, this question does not currently arise in Germany, since only BioNTech and Moderna are used for boosting, even if you have received a «Johnson & Johnson» vaccination. This is due to the fact that the protective effect after just one «Johnson & Johnson» vaccination is lower than with the other preparations. In addition, the number of antibodies at Johnson & Johnson is decreasing faster.
A University of California study of US veterans found that the vaccine efficacy of the Johnson & Johnson compound dropped from 86.4 percent to just 13.1 percent within six months.3 The effectiveness of the BioNTech compound dropped from 86.9 percent to 43.3 percent and Moderna from 89.2 to 58 percent. The results therefore suggest that a booster vaccination with one of the mRNA vaccines offers longer-lasting protection against the coronavirus.
Also interesting: In relation to the Delta variant, Moderna is the better booster vaccine
When am I considered boosted after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
Although one is considered fully vaccinated with just one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the protective effect is somewhat lower and wears off more quickly than with other vaccines. For this reason, the Stiko recommends optimizing this basic immunization with an mRNA vaccine.4 At the earliest four weeks after the «Johnson & Johnson» vaccination, you should receive a second vaccination dose from Moderna or BioNTech. However, this is not the actual booster vaccination, which is equivalent to a third vaccination in people who have been vaccinated twice.
So anyone who received a dose of the “Johnson & Johnson” preparation and after a few weeks or months received a second corona vaccination with one of the mRNA vaccines still needs a booster vaccination. The Stiko recommends that the booster vaccination for all adults over the age of 18 should be given at least three months after the second vaccination.5 In Germany, Moderna or BioNTech are then suitable vaccines.
Also interesting: Stiko recommends a second vaccination – what “Johnson & Johnson” vaccinated people should know now
Technical problems with vaccination certificate
The problem of an invalid certificate is becoming more and more common among both «Johnson & Johnson» vaccinated and recovered people. In other words, for people who initially only needed one vaccination for their basic immunization. In both groups, the vaccination certificate does not show the status boosted after receiving a refresher in the CovPass and Corona-Warn app. A problem that causes chaos, confusion and displeasure, especially with regard to test exemption for 2G+. When asked by FITBOOK, the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed the technical difficulties and stated that a solution was being worked on.
Conclusion
It’s a little confusing, as you’re actually considered fully vaccinated after just one Johnson & Johnson shot. One might therefore think that the second corona vaccination would then be the booster – but that is not the case. Because the protective effect of the «Johnson & Johnson» vaccine is relatively low compared to the other vaccines, the second vaccination dose (regardless of the vaccine) is considered to be an optimization of the vaccination protection. Only a third vaccination at an interval of the usual five to six months for the second vaccination is considered the important booster vaccination, which should now offer better protection, especially against the omicron variant.