FDA grapples with timing of booster for J&J COVID-19 vaccine

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration is wrestling with however to determine erstwhile Americans should question retired a booster dose of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Other manufacturers privation to connection boosters six months aft superior vaccination. But J&J projected a scope of times, from 2 months to six months.

In a reappraisal posted Wednesday, FDA scientists didn't scope a steadfast conclusion, citing shortcomings with J&J's data.

"Although not independently confirmed by FDA from datasets, summaries of the information suggest determination whitethorn beryllium a payment successful a 2nd dose administered astir 2 months aft the superior dose, erstwhile compared to the efficacy seen successful the pivotal survey COV3001," researchers wrote successful a 54-page papers made nationalist Wednesday.

According to CNBC, the study besides indicated that a azygous dose of the J&J vaccine "still affords extortion against terrible COVID-19 illness and decease successful the United States."

On Thursday and Friday, an FDA advisory sheet volition urge whether to backmost boosters of some the J&J and Moderna vaccines.

In documents released Tuesday, Moderna argued that a 3rd dose of its vaccine was needed "six to 8 months" aft a 2nd dose, The New York Times reports.

The FDA and CDC person already approved booster shots for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for radical aged 65 and older, for radical with underlying aesculapian conditions and for radical who enactment indispensable jobs. The FDA says those Americans should question retired a Pfizer booster six months aft their 2nd dose.