Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE:JNJ) COVID-19 booster shot is 94% effective when administered two months after the first dose in the U.S., the company announced Tuesday, adding that the booster increases antibody levels four to six times higher than one shot alone.
The company said a J&J booster dose given six months out from the first shot appears to be potentially even more protective against COVID, generating antibodies twelve-fold higher four weeks after the boost, regardless of age.
When given as a booster, the vaccine remained well-tolerated, with side effects generally consistent with those seen after the initial dose, according to J&J.
The new data, provided in a press release, helps J&J make a case to the Food and Drug Administration to authorize a booster shot to some 14.8 million Americans who have received the company’s single-dose vaccine so far.
The Biden administration announced plans last month to roll out booster shots for people who received the Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) vaccines. An FDA advisory committee on Friday unanimously recommended Pfizer booster shots to people age 65 and older and other vulnerable Americans. A final decision from the agency is expected any day now.
The 94% efficacy rate for the J&J booster shot is for the U.S., the company said. Globally, a booster shot given about two months after the first dose is 75% effective against symptomatic infection, according to the company. It also demonstrated 100% effectiveness against severe and critical disease, it said.
JNJ shares advanced 57 cents to $164.38.
