If you got J&J vaccine, consider two mRNA booster shots, CDC data suggest
Source: Washington Post
The nearly 17 million Americans who received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine are less protected against serious illness and hospitalizations than those who got the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots, according to federal data released Tuesday. The latest data suggest Johnson & Johnson recipients should get a booster with one of the messenger RNA vaccines, if they havent already done so and even consider a second messenger RNA booster for the greatest protection.
The data come from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that analyzed the results of mix-and-match vaccine-and-booster combinations during a four-month period when the highly transmissible omicron variant was dominant. Even combining a Johnson & Johnson vaccine with a booster of either Johnson & Johnson, or one of the two messenger RNA vaccines, wasnt as strong as three shots of the messenger RNA vaccines in preventing emergency room visits or hospitalizations, according to the report. The results confirm what health officials and scientists have known for some time based on earlier research. But the study is important because vaccine effectiveness data on the mix-and-match booster strategies in the real world has been limited.
The new data, from a 10-state study conducted by independent researchers, may provide clarity amid a confusing stew of data about the single-dose vaccine. It shows that three doses of a messenger RNA vaccine perform the best, while a Johnson & Johnson vaccine followed by a messenger RNA booster shot is next best. Two shots of Johnson & Johnson provide a lower level of protection, with a single shot just 31 percent effective against hospitalization. Thats too low, especially in this world where we have access to other things, said Natalie E. Dean, a biostatistician at Emory Universitys Rollins School of Public Health. One priority is making sure that people who only received one dose [of Johnson & Johnson vaccine] are aware that they should go and get, preferably, a messenger RNA vaccine.
The data also suggest a second boost with a messenger RNA vaccine may need to be considered, even for individuals who have received two doses of Johnson & Johnson, said Boghuma Titanji, an infectious-diseases expert at Emory University. This is not yet a formal recommendation, Titanji said, but is something individuals who fall in this category should discuss with their health-care provider. The takeaway: If you can get the messenger RNA vaccine series, and especially get one as a booster, this [study] confirms that is the way to go, said Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/03/29/messenger-rna-boosters-recommended-johnson-johnson-vaccine/
Here is a link to CDC's MMWR mentioned in the OP that just issued today - https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7113e2.htm?s_cid=mm7113e2_w
I know there are many DUers who were recipients of Janssen's (J&J) vaccine (one of my uncles got that one too) and have been understandably frustrated at being left out of the consideration for how to proceed with additional doses/boosters.
That particular vaccine was an alternative to the mRNA vaccines, which were literally used for the very first time in a pandemic vs one of the "traditional" platforms for vaccines (like this). Due to the severity of the diseases that COVID-19 have caused, it was approved in order to get as much vaccine out there for people, and in its case, it could be done with a single dose to achieve at least the minimum efficacy typically required for vaccines (with a benefit of use in those who are trypanophobic (afraid of needles) or whose condition may have precluded use of needles, as well as those who are difficult to reach like the home-bound and transient populations.
Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)
Grasswire2 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Grasswire2
(13,568 posts)It wasn't long ago that we were informed that the J&J coverage was excellent.
progree
(10,901 posts)https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/as-picture-of-covid-vaccine-durability-gets-clearer-j-j-makes-a-strong-showing/ar-AAVg3kG?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531
One caveat on that study - none of the more than 422,000 J&J recipients in the recent study got boosters during the research period, which ended in August.
This was the latest I had seen until today.
I'll definitely get my 2nd booster, even if I have to pay for it with a stack of greenbacks. Considering my "vaxxed and boosted" status is just a single J&J shot plus 1/2 dose of Moderna 8 months later, doesn't seem very good to me.
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)I am beginning to wonder if the CDC has an agenda for promoting the MRNA vaccines specifically. As you indicate, one minute the J&J isnt worth crap, and the next the research indicates it doesnt wane as much as the MRNA vaccines. So who really knows?
I know that for me, personally, the CDC has lost a lot of credibility over the masking issue, and where I may not have questioned their recommendations before, I will be questioning them now.
As much as it is popular on DU to line up for never ending boosters, I do not believe that will be reality with the general population of this country. The vaccines have not, to my knowledge, changed their formulation to address any of the variants. So why is getting more of the same better? Im not looking for an answer from someone on DU. I want the CDC medical experts to explain that to me.
Grasswire2
(13,568 posts)I personally think, just from observation, that a concerted effort has been made by some (not here, but in the medical/pharmaceutical and larger community) to discount J&J despite the studies that show its efficacy.
Why?
Follow the dollar.
Auggie
(31,163 posts)MurrayDelph
(5,293 posts)But decided to wait, as right now I am mostly holed up in northwest Oregon (with an occasional trip to L.A.), but six months from now I'll be traveling to Florida, driving through the red states, so I'll wait a bit in order to have higher efficacy.
Auggie
(31,163 posts)MurrayDelph
(5,293 posts)the retired RN
FarPoint
(12,336 posts)I think the J&J was a " better than nothing" vaccine....
Grasswire2
(13,568 posts)But the studies don't show what you claim.
appalachiablue
(41,127 posts)GPV
(72,377 posts)lapfog_1
(29,199 posts)and a Pfizer booster in November.
I'll get a second Pfizer shot soon.
After that, I will wait for widespread availability of therapeutics in case I catch COVID again (already had it once).
Unless there are new variants or new vaccines.
Freddie
(9,259 posts)Except my booster was Moderna. Ill get a 2nd one as soon as I can.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Mysmi
(14 posts)I got a booster shot and plan to get the second one..