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ERIE (Erie News Now) – Johnson and Johnson announced new research on Wednesday showing that a booster shot of its coronavirus vaccine might be needed to the immune response to Covid-19.
This means that those who received the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine may be rolling up their sleeves for a booster shot soon.
Officials at UPMC Hamot said they have been administering both the Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Since the vaccine roll out began, the hospital has administered over 60,000 doses so far between Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson.
“Right now they are compiling the data, we will review that just as intensely at UPMC to make sure it’s the right thing to do, but definitely it is in review, hopefully very soon you will be able to get a booster for the J and J as well”, explained Jason Chenault, Senior Director of Emergency Services at UPMC Hamot.
What does this mean for people who have already gotten the Johnson and Johnson vaccine? According to the CDC 94 million people have been vaccinated with Pfizer compared to 14 million with Johnson and Johnson. If this booster shot comes through, those 14 million people could get an extra layer of protection against Covid-19.
One of the big questions hospital officials have been getting is if the vaccines can be mixed or matched.
Chenault said, “Right now we anticipate that you will need to stay with the vaccine that you received initially so if you received the Pfizer, the Pfizer would be your booster dose, if you received the Moderna, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson the same”.
Officials say while these booster shots are great news, they still are pushing for more people to get that first dose of the vaccine to fight against Covid-19.
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