Johnson & Johnson says testing shows its booster shot generates spike in antibodies

Johnson & Johnson reported on Wednesday that receiving one of its booster shots creates a significant increase of coronavirus antibodies, one of the main defenses against infection. 

J&J said that it conducted two studies showing that a booster shot of its vaccine created a higher increase of antibodies the second time around than after a 28-day period following the first dose being administered.

“New interim data from these studies demonstrate that a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine generated a rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the primary single-dose vaccination,” the company said in a press release as it seeks authorization for fully vaccinated individuals to get a second shot of their vaccine. 

“Significant increases in binding antibody responses were observed in participants between ages 18 and 55, and in those 65 years and older who received a lower booster dose,” the company continued.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized only the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for a booster shot in individuals who are immunocompromised. 

The Biden administration has also recommended that most Americans get a third shot of either of the two mRNA vaccines, though a larger recommendation would require another independent evaluation by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

J&J said in their press release that they were already speaking with the FDA, CDC, European Medicines Agency (EMA) and others regarding a possible booster.

“We have established that a single shot of our COVID-19 vaccine generates strong and robust immune responses that are durable and persistent through eight months. With these new data, we also see that a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine further increases antibody responses among study participants who had previously received our vaccine,” Mathai Mammen, global head of Janssen research & development for Johnson & Johnson, said in a statement. “We look forward to discussing with public health officials a potential strategy for our Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, boosting eight months or longer after the primary single-dose vaccination.”

According to the CDC, more than 14 million people have received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, far fewer than the number that has received the Moderna and Pfizer two-shot vaccinations.