An FDA advisory panel recently reviewed the data, centering on mixing and matching COVID-19 boosters.
The FDA vaccine advisory committee recommended booster doses for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Friday. In its recommendations, it covers all Janssen vaccine recipients, age 18 and above.
As noted, the eligible individuals should take an additional jab two months after getting the initial dose. But, the agency has yet to make official authorisations.
The same is true for the mix-and-match approach for the boosters. Reports previously said that, on the same day, the panel would also hear the “mix-and-match” presentation.
Recent reports claim, however, that the federal regulators will soon make official recommendations about the matter. The news first emerged from the New York Times on Monday, according to Insider.
“Mix and match” authorisation from the FDA
Based on the claims, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to approve the mixing and matching of COVID-19 boosters. This will allow Americans to receive a different brand of vaccine as a booster than the one they initially had.
Sources familiar with the matter told the publication that the agency will not recommend specific brands of COVID-19 vaccine as a booster. But, the recommendations may reportedly mention preferring getting the same brand as the one they initially took.
The same report also noted that the agency is expected to give the official green light to the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters on Wednesday evening. But, reps for the FDA have reportedly yet to release a comment.
About the mix-and-match approach
The talks about the “mix-and-match” approach for COVID-19 boosters have become more apparent these past few days. These come after a National Institutes of Health study, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, emerged on October 13.
Based on the publication, experts found that the recipients of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine produced “stronger antibody levels” following a Moderna or Pfizer boosting. This is in comparison to taking the boosters from Johnson & Johnson.
The study also showed that individuals who completed the initial Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series “produced similarly strong immune responses” after receiving either of the company’s booster doses.
Assertions from the experts
NIH immunologist Dr. Michael Kurilla stated that the study showed “great” safety data. He also asserted that the world may end up in a situation “not too dissimilar to influenza.”
The expert explained that this is because the influenza vaccines do not have a particular booster approved by regulators. He also added that no one even talks about what influenza vaccine one gets.
White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci shared a few words, as well, about mixing and matching the boosters. He reiterated the promising results of the study and pointed out that the FDA will look at all the data “to make a determination of what they will authorise.”
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