Johnson & Johnson’s Covid vaccination can be given as a booster shot two months after the initial dosage or after receiving other mRNA vaccines, according to the European Medicines Agency.

The watchdog said in a statement, “EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has concluded that a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine Janssen may be considered at least two months after the first dose in people aged 18 years and above.”

After Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, the Amsterdam-based agency has authorised this vaccine as a booster for adults.

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“A booster dose with Covid-19 vaccine Janssen may be given after two doses of one of the mRNA vaccines authorised in the EU,” it added.

It stated that it was closely monitoring any potential negative effects that had not yet been reported.

“The risk of thrombosis in combination with thrombocytopenia (TTS) or other very rare side effects after a booster is not known and is being carefully monitored.”

As COVID cases are on the rise again around the world, particularly in numerous European countries battling new waves, several governments are recommending individuals to obtain booster doses.

“Since COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen has been given conditional marketing authorisation, the company that markets the vaccine will provide results from ongoing clinical trials,” the EMA also notified.

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Protection with COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen starts around 14 days after vaccination but it is not currently known how long protection continues. 

EMA has also agreed with the company on a plan to conduct trials involving children.

Booster doses, according to scientists, appear to protect people against the highly mutated Omicron version, which was discovered in South Africa last month and may be more contagious, according to preliminary study.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved four adult vaccines so far: messenger RNA vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, as well as viral vector vaccines from AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.